International Details: Shrek Stuck in Second

July 18, 2010

The top film on the international scene was published on Wednesday and can be found here.

Shrek Forever After remained in second place with a hearty $56.42 million on 6,987 screens in 41 markets for a total of $209.55 million internationally and $443.33 worldwide. There was some excellent news this week, as the film opened in first place in Brazil with $6.86 million on 658 screens, which is an all-time record in that market for an animated film. Meanwhile in Spain it opened with $4.12 million on 748 screens over the weekend and $4.97 million in total, but Shrek the Third made more than $7.5 million during its opening three years ago. Finally, it opened atop Poland with $2.73 million on 235 screens. Poland isn't normally considered a major market, but when it comes to animated films, it usually is. As far as holdovers go, it held on extremely well in South Korea, down just 20% to $4.66 million on 566 screens over the weekend for a total of $12.81 million after two. On the other hand, it was down nearly 50% in the U.K. To $6.88 million on 537 screens over the weekend and $25.81 million after two.

• Toy Story 3 saw some growth, but remained in third place with $34.72 million on 5,992 screens in 39 markets for a total of $217.56 million internationally and $556.81 million worldwide. It is now the biggest hit in the franchise and fifth best for Pixar. It opened in first place in Japan with $11.02 million on 530 screens, which was about 10% more than Pixar's previous best in that market, Finding Nemo. That film went on to top $100 million in Japan alone, which is probably out of reach, but something to keep an eye on. Meanwhile, the film opened in first place in Italy with $3.00 million on 678 screens over the weekend and $4.91 million in total. In comparison, Up made more than $7 million when it opened in that market last year. However, it was also a fall opening, and Italy doesn't have a history of big summer blockbusters. In fact, many theaters shut down during the summer.
• Predators made its international debut in third place with $17.29 million on 3,155 screens in 22 markets. This includes a third place opening in the U.K. with $3.30 million on 396 screens. It placed four in Russia ($2.85 million on 700 screens); Japan ($2.74 million on 373); and in Australia ($2.37 million on 209). In all three markets it is a solid midlevel hit. On the other hand, it struggled in Germany with just $1.21 million on 595 screens, even though that was enough for second place in that market. If the film can make $100 million worldwide, I think the studio will be happy with that result, but not happy enough to greenlight a sequel.
• The Karate Kid climbed into the top five with $11.34 million on 1,776 screens in 23 markets for a total of $43.43 million after a month of release. In Australia the film expanded wide and reached third place with $3.22 million on 241 screens over the weekend for a total of $5.89 million. It also opened in first place in Mexico with $3.51 million on 700 screens. Worldwide the film has now earned $207.73 million and should be able to top $300 million before too long.
• Knight and Day slipped a spot to sixth with $10.86 million on 3,224 screens in 30 markets for a total of $38.98 million internationally and $100.79 million worldwide. The film opened in China and India with estimates of $4.8 million and $1.5 million respectively. It also has a big test this weekend with openings in a number of major markets.
• The Last Airbender started its international run in seventh place with $9.58 million on 923 screens in 4 markets. The only major market amongst those was Russia where it debuted in first place with $7.69 million on 870 screens. Granted, Russia is a market that tends to reward fantasy films, but this does suggest $200 million internationally is not out of the question. As it opens in a more diverse number of major markets, we will have a better idea where it will finish.
• Bayside Shakedown 3 was pushed to second place in Japan and eighth place internationally with $7.55 million on 447 screens over the weekend and $28.07 million after two.
• Pikachu The Movie 2010 was right behind with $7.06 million on 369 screens, which was enough for third place in Japan and ninth internationally. It will likely have much shorter legs, on the other hand.
• Despicable Me started its international run in tenth place with $4.93 million on 363 screens in 4 markets. This includes a second place, $3.34 million opening on 772 screens in Russia, but it is far too soon to figure out where it will end its international run.
• Triple Tap expanded further in Southeast Asia earning $4.46 million on 481 screens in 4 markets for a two-week total of $12.45 million.
• Milenge Milenge is the latest Indian film to chart, but it struggled with just $2.08 million on 784 screens in 15 markets. A low production budget could save this film in the long run, however.
• Sex and the City 2 hung around one more week with $2.03 million on 2631 screens in 51 markets for totals of $193.28 million internationally and $287.98 million worldwide.

Filed under: International Box Office, Sex and the City 2, Despicable Me, The Last Airbender, Shrek Forever After, The Karate Kid, Toy Story 3, Knight and Day, Predators