International Top Five - Compass Finishes North of the Competition

December 12, 2007

Like it did domestically, His Dark Material: The Golden Compass debuted in first place on the international charts. However, unlike its performance domestically, its international haul was a hefty $44.31 million on 5263 screens in 27 markets for a total of $50.96 million including midweek numbers. In the U.K. the film opened first with $11.63 million on 507 screens over the weekend and $14.79 million in total, but that is significantly lower than Sunday's estimates. In France the film also took first place with $6.00 million on 776 screens, and in Spain with $5.17 million on 505 screens over the weekend and $8.07 million in total. The number one debuts continued in Germany at $4.80 million on 836 screens and in Russia with $3.68 million on 521. The Golden Compass's release schedule is certainly front loaded, but it still has openings in Italy next week, South Korea the week after, and Australia on Boxing Day, as well as Japan in March, and should earn between $200 million and $300 million internationally. Depending on how well it does on the home market in these markets, it could show a profit, but becoming a franchise is unlikely at this point.

Enchanted remained relatively flat down just 3% to $11.66 million on 2521 screens in 22 markets for a total of $36.51 million. The film opened in first place in Italy with $3.30 million on 404 screens while it held strong in France with $3.40 million on 660 screens over the weekend and $9.40 million in total. It also cracked $1 million in Spain with $1.52 million on 353 screens over the weekend and $8.37 million in total.

Bee Movie was close behind with $10.91 million on 2039 screens in 21 markets for a still early total of $33.51 million. This includes first place openings in Australia with $2.21 million on 363 screens over the weekend and $2.90 million in total, as well as in Brazil with $1.32 million on 381 screens over the weekend and $1.45 million in total. The film even remained in first place in Mexico with $1.62 million on 390 screens over the weekend and $5.27 million in total while it was down just 20% during its second weekend in Spain with $2.25 million on 428 screens over the weekend and $6.46 million in total. Next week it opens in the U.K., France, and Germany, while it opens in Italy week after that and in South Korea and Japan in January.

Beowulf had the worst drop-off in the top five this week, in fact, it had the worst drop-off in the top 30 falling 52%. On the other hand, it did add $9.12 million on 4746 screens in 59 markets for a total of $91.46 million. Reaching $100 million is a given at this point, while hitting $200 million worldwide is the final milestone it is aiming at, but this is not nearly enough to show a profit anytime soon.

Hitman rounded out the top five with $8.21 million on 2586 screens in 38 markets for a total of $24.49 million. It's best opening came in Australia where it placed second with $1.22 million on 172 screens over the weekend while it debuted in fourth place in Italy with $1.14 million on 224 screens. Its best market overall was the U.K. where it added $1.27 million on 350 screens over the weekend for a total of $4.90 million after two, but it is hard to be enthusiastic over any of these numbers.


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Filed under: International Box Office, Enchanted, Bee Movie, Beowulf, The Golden Compass, Hitman