International Box Office: Sherlock on Top, but International Flavor in the top Five

January 25, 2012

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows was again the top film on the international box office, even though it fell significantly from last week. It generated an additional $18.3 million on 7,505 screens in 57 markets for totals of $261.3 million internationally and $439.6 million worldwide. Getting to $400 million worldwide is more than enough to show a profit, unless it cost a ridiculous amount for global prints and advertising. There were no major new markets to report on last weekend, but it did add $2.38 million on 422 screens over the weekend in Brazil, giving the film a total of $8.08 million after two. Up next is France this weekend, while it opens in Japan in March. $300 million internationally is pretty much a given, unless it bombs in those two markets, while if it does well, it could reach $500 million worldwide.

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo rose a spot to second place with $15.40 million on 4,654 screens in 53 markets over the weekend for a total of $70.49 million after four. Its biggest opening came in France where it pulled in $3.12 million on 520 screens, which was enough for first place. It also opened in first place in Mexico with $1.31 million on 661 screens. It should top the original's international number shortly, but it might have to wait till it opens in Italy and Japan next month.

Underworld: Awakenings opened in third place with just under $14.00 million over the weekend on 2,454 screens in 36 markets for a total opening of $15.73 million. Highlights include Russia, where it opened in first place with a commanding $5.90 million on 721 screens. However, fantasy films like this tend to do well in that market, so keep that in mind. In Italy, it had to settle for a distant second place with $1.29 million on 291 screens, while it only managed third place in the U.K. with $1.74 million on 297.

Speaking of Italy, Benvenuti Al Nord, which means... I'm going to guess, "Welcome to the North". Regardless, the film opened in first place in its native market with a stunning $12.77 million on 854 screens over the weekend for a total opening of $15.83 million. To put this into perspective, Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows will finish with about $25 million in that market. This is like a $100 million opening here.

Up next was another international release, Intouchables, which returned to the chart after a month absence. This weekend it pulled in $10.46 million on 1,729 screens in 6 markets for a total of $181.06 million. It saw its box office grow in Germany earning $6.03 million on 681 screens over the weekend for a total of $16.50 million after three. If it can expand beyond France, then its box office potential is huge. Meanwhile in France, it added $2.47 million on 828 screens over the weekend for a total of $145.42 million after nearly three months of release. This is an Avatar-like number.

Alvin & The Chipmunks: Chipwrecked was right behind with $10.13 million on 5,350 screens in 54 markets for totals of $170.75 million internationally and $295.44 million worldwide.

Journey 2: The Mysterious Island opened in ninth place with $7.9 million on 1,091 screens in 7 markets. It opened in second place in Australia with $2.01 million on 351 screens and in third place in South Korea with $2.50 million on 392 screens over the weekend and $2.83 million in total. This is better than expected and perhaps its chances here are rosier than I anticipated.


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Filed under: International Box Office, Underworld: Awakening, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked, Journey 2: The Mysterious Island, Les Intouchables