International Box Office: Afterlife is Living Large

September 22, 2010

It took just two weeks for Resident Evil: Afterlife to become the first film in the franchise to reach $100 million on the international scene. It earned $39.61 million on 6235 screens in 47 markets for a total of $103.58 million internationally and $147.48 million worldwide. Its biggest opening came in Germany where it earned $5.38 million on 434 screens over the weekend for a total opening of $5.85 million. It also took top spot in Mexico with $4.38 million on 658 screens, in South Korea with $3.88 million on 367, and in Brazil with $2.96 million on 298. It did fall 62% during its second weekend in Japan, which is tragic for that market; however, it still managed $5.00 million on 634 screens over the weekend for a total of $27.71 million after two. With debuts in France, Australia, and other markets still ahead of it, this film will have no trouble getting to $200 million worldwide, while $200 million internationally is a solid goal.

Umizaru 3: The Last Message opened in first place in Japan and second place internationally with $11.16 million on 467 screens. If this film shows the same legs most Japanese movies do, it could stick around the international chart for quite some time.

Inception remained in third place with $10.04 million on 5083 screens in 55 markets for a total of $478.00 million internationally and $763.13 million worldwide. It became just the 32nd film to reach $750 million worldwide. Unless the film bombs in Italy when it opens there this weekend, it will have no trouble getting to $800 million worldwide. Even if it does bomb there, it might still reach that milestone.

Dabangg fell 56% to $8.87 million on 1088 screens in 18 markets for a total of $33.44 million. A 56% drop-off is actually quite good for an Indian film; in fact, an opening of $8.87 million would be excellent for an Indian film. At this point, the only question is if it will top 3 Idiots and become the biggest Bollywood blockbuster of all time.

The Last Airbender climbed into fifth place with $5.71 million on 2492 screens in 42 markets for a total of $159.04 million internationally and $290.60 million worldwide. The film debuted in Australia with $2.59 million on 331 screens, which is on par with expectations. With its debut in Italy this weekend, plus a few smaller markets, it should reach $300 million worldwide by this time next week. The Last Airbender was an expensive movie to make, but it should break even, eventually.

Likewise, The Sorcerer's Apprentice was also an expensive movie to make, but it still needs a bit more help breaking even. This week it fell to sixth place with $5.56 million on 3205 screens in 32 markets for a total of $138.18 million internationally and $200.67 million worldwide. This milestone might be enough to save someone's job.

The Other Guys made its first appearance on this chart with $5.37 million on 793 screens in 18 markets over the weekend for a still early total of $8.87 million. This weekend it opened in first place in the U.K. with $3.09 million on 441 screens, but I'm not sure how well it will do in most other markets. After all, Will Ferrell does not have a lot of international drawing power.

Despicable Me slipped to eighth place with $5.28 million on 1296 screens in 29 markets for a total of $88.69 million. No major openings hurt, but it was down just 32% in Australia adding $2.09 million over the weekend for a total of $7.46 million after just two weeks of release.

Under The Hawthorn Tree opened in China with $5.15 million on 545 screens, which was enough for ninth place internationally.

Vampires Suck reached the top ten with $5.02 million on 1817 screens in 24 markets for a total of $19.62 million after about a month of release.

Step Up 3D fell out of the top ten landing in 13th place, but that didn't stop it from reaching a major milestone. Over the weekend it made $4.26 million on 1686 screens in 29 markets for a total of $101.36 million internationally, making it the first film in the franchise to reach the century mark. Also, in a couple weeks, it could be the biggest hit on the worldwide stage.

Further down the list we find Toy Story 3 in 15th place with $3.75 million on 2624 screens in 41 markets for a total of $636.14 million internationally and $1.05 billion worldwide. It is less than $19 million away from overtaking Dead Man's Chest, but it will have a hard time getting there, as it is shedding screens and markets.


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Filed under: International Box Office, Inception, The Sorcerer's Apprentice, Despicable Me, The Last Airbender, Resident Evil: Afterlife, Toy Story 3, The Other Guys, Step Up 3D, Vampires Suck, Dabangg