International Box Office: Runner Breaks Out to an Early Lead
September 23, 2015
The Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials rose to first place with $43.3 million in 67 markets over the weekend for a total of $78.0 million internationally and $108.3 million worldwide. The film's biggest opening came from South Korea, but it only managed second place there with $5.66 million on 804 screens over the weekend for a total opening of $7.20 million. On the other hand, the film dominated the Russian box office with $4.19 million on 2,328 screens. The original movie opened stronger in Russia, but The Scorch Trials performed better in its opening in South Korea. Given these results, it is still too soon to tell how well this film will do compared to its predecessor. That said, it already has more worldwide than it cost to make. In fact, it almost has enough worldwide to pay for its entire production budget. Its advertising budget would have to be much larger than expected for it to not break even sooner rather than later.
Everest opened in second place with $28.2 million in 37 markets over the weekend. The film's biggest opening came from the U.K., where it earned first place with $4.82 million in 567 theaters, while Mexico was right behind with $4.4 million. It also finished in first place in Australia with $2.30 million on 453 screens. On the other hand, it only managed second place in Germany with $2.54 million on 463 screens and in Spain with $1.56 million on 568. Given these results, it doesn't appear as if Everest will be one of Universal's biggest hits of the year. However, the studio has already pulled in $4 billion internationally so far this year, which is already the yearly record and there's still three months to go.
Minions remained in third place for the third weekend in a row with $22.8 million in 58 markets over the weekend for totals of $785.4 million internationally and $1.118 million worldwide. The film earned $31.27 million during the full week in China for an eight-day total of $50.18 million in that market. The film is about $150 million behind Frozen for the biggest animated hit of all time, but it only has Greece left to open in, so it very likely won't get there.
Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation fell to fourth place with $21.2 million in 54 markets over the weekend for totals of $464.7 million internationally and $656.4 million worldwide. The film has no more markets left to open in, but it is still on pace to become the first film in the franchise to reach the $700 million mark worldwide.
Pixels rounded out the top five with $14.9 million in 71 markets for totals of $145.1 million internationally and $221.4 million worldwide. The film's final major market opening came in China were it earned $12.14 million during its six-day opening. The film has made enough to cover its production budget, so it only needs to cover its advertising on the home market to break even. It should get there... eventually. It might take till it airs on TV a few times.
Fack ju Göhte 2 slipped to sixth place with $14.77 million on 924 screens in two markets over the weekend for a two-week total of $42.04 million. It remained in first place in Germany with $13.66 million on 845 screens over the weekend for a running tally of $38.48 million. The rest came from Austria. The original earned close to $72 million in its native market, including a recent re-release. This is the target number for this market. Early legs suggests it could get there, but it will be close.
Inside Out slipped a spot to seventh with $9.8 million in 35 markets for totals of $408.8 million internationally and $761.6 million worldwide. The film opened in first place in Italy with $6.52 million on 675 screens. It has yet to open in Germany and China and with those markets, it should reach $800 million.
The Throne opened in first place in South Korea with $9.00 million on 1,210 screens over the weekend for a total opening of $12.08 million.
Straight Outta Compton returned to the international chart in ninth place with $3.8 million in 21 markets over the weekend for an international total of $30.3 million. This includes a second place, $1.36 million on 275 screens in France.
Legend added $3.73 million in 544 theaters in its native U.K, giving the film a two-week of $15.21 million.
Ant-Man fell out of the top ten, but it did reach $400 million worldwide over the weekend. This is amazing for a film that features, and let's be honest here, a C-List superhero. There has been a shakeup at Marvel Studios and some are saying this will result in more risk-taking. However, the success of Ant-Man shows Marvel is practically able to print money. As long as the same people are in charge, then the rumored movie about Squirrel Girl should be a box office hit. The only thing risky I can think of that might happen is a rebooting of Howard the Duck.
Filed under: International Box Office, Ant-Man, Pixels, Minions, Inside Out, Mission: Impossible—Rogue Nation, Everest, Straight Outta Compton, Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials, Legend, Mission: Impossible