International Top Five - Holdovers Dominate International Box Office
January 10, 2008
There wasn't a single new release in the top five; in fact, there wasn't a single new release to chart this week. This left I Am Legend in first place with $30.51 million on 3492 screens in 33 markets for a total of $167.97 million internationally. The film has million dollar openings in a trio of markets, the largest of which was Australia where it pulled in $8.41 million on 338 screens over the weekend and $8.58 million in total. In Greece it earned $1.30 million on 79 screens over the weekend and $1.88 million in total while in New Zealand it opened with $1.04 million on 65. Meanwhile it was down 43% in the U.K. to $7.39 million on 458 screens over the weekend for a total of $36.50 million after two weeks.
National Treasure: The Book of Secrets climbed into second place with $20.27 million on 4270 screens in 33 markets lifting its total to $102.08 million internationally. The film had no major openings this weekend but did lead the way in Belgium with $1.15 million on 75 screens and came in second place in Greece with an opening of $907,000 on 85 screens. Meanwhile in Japan, the film was down just 1% to $1.83 million on 462 screens over the weekend for a total of $16.02 million after three.
His Dark Material: The Golden Compass was just a hair behind at $20.18 million on 6154 screens in 49 markets for a total of $233.85 million. This includes $46.49 million from the U.K. alone, $2.62 million of which came on 445 screens this past weekend. This should be the biggest single market for the film, but its final market, Japan, is very friendly to fantasy films and that could change. If it does, the film could have enough international appeal alone to turn the book series into a franchise, just with a heavier emphasis on the foreign markets. And thanks to the $180 million the studio made through selling off its international rights, it could cover its expenses after its initial push into the home market.
Alvin And The Chipmunks was the only major change in the top five as it climbed from seventh to fourth with $15.83 million on 4201 screens in 46 markets for a total of $65.42 million. Its only major opening came in Australia where it placed second with a still impressive $3.49 million on 259 screens over the weekend and $3.58 million in total.
Enchanted landed in fifth place with $14.44 million on 4712 screens in 34 markets for a total of $137.96 million. This is even more impressive when you take into account it was relying on holdovers. With these holds, $200 million internationally becomes a lot more likely, as does $350 million worldwide. This is more than enough to show a very healthy profit before the very lucrative home market.
Filed under: International Box Office, I am Legend, National Treasure: Book of Secrets, Alvin and the Chipmunks, Enchanted, The Golden Compass