International Top Five - An Asian Flavor to the Top Five

December 16, 2009

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A couple of Asian films reached the top five and they were part of a large group of international films to chart this week. In fact, five of the top ten and fourteen of the top thirty were truly international films. However, the top three were all Hollywood blockbusters; in fact, they were the same three blockbusters that led the way last week. The Twilight Saga - New Moon remained in first place with $22.29 million on 7,856 screens in 63 markets for a total of $357.48 million internationally and $624.80 million worldwide. The film managed to remain it first place in South Korea with $2.59 million on 545 screens over the weekend for a total of $9.76 million after two. Meanwhile, it is still strong in Germany and added $2.98 million on 736 screens over the weekend for a total of $29.52 million after three and it hit $40 million in the U.K. with $1.22 million on 458 screens over the weekend for a total of $40.57 million after four. The film is rapidly running out of places to open, but it could end its run with $400 million internationally and nearly $700 million worldwide.

2012 added $19.81 million on 8,536 screens in 75 markets for a total of $555.88 million internationally and $711.17 million worldwide. The film has no major markets left to open in, but it has a shot at $600 million internationally and $750 million worldwide.

Disney's A Christmas Carol remained in third place with $14.07 million on 4,918 screens in 47 markets for a total of $145.92 million internationally and $270.35 million worldwide. It had no major market openings this past weekend, but it did climb into first place in the U.K. with $2.51 million on 434 screens over the weekend for a total of $26.01 million after more than a month of release. It also remained in first place in Italy with $3.59 million on 504 screens over the weekend and $13.14 million after two. The movie is about a week away from overtaking The Polar Express's worldwide total, at least during the film's initial run, while it will overtake that film's current worldwide box office before too long.

A Simple Noodle Story opened in first place in China and fourth place internationally with $13.91 million on 725 screens. The film is a remake of Blood Simple and it is directed by Zhang Yimou, who previously made House of Flying Daggers, Jet Li's Hero, etc., so there's a chance it could earn at least a limited release here.

Rounding out the top five is One Piece Film - Strong World, which opened in first place in Japan with $11.69 million on just 188 screens. This is the latest installment in a franchise that has lasted a decade, so it comes as no real surprise that it took top spot in its native market, but that level of domination is still impressive.

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Filed under: International Box Office, The Twilight Saga: New Moon, Disney’s A Christmas Carol, 2012