International Top Five - Beowulf Conquers More Markets
November 28, 2007
Beowulf opened in 23 more markets this past weekend, finishing in first place in 20 of them. This helped the film repeat as champion on the international box office with $25.40 million on 5433 screens in 44 markets for a total of $48.53 million. This includes number one debuts in Russia, ($4.13 million on 502 screens), and Mexico, ($1.93 million on 512 screens). However, it had to settle for second place in Spain, ($3.12 million on 450 screens), and fourth in France, ($1.88 million on 481). As for holdovers, no major openings let the film remain in second place in the U.K. with $3.03 million on 487 screens over the weekend and $9.35 million in total. On the other hand, it fell from first to fourth in South Korea with $1.36 million on 304 screens over the weekend and $6.13 million in total. The film is rapidly running out of major markets to open in, and it has made roughly half of the film's total costs worldwide so far. I think if the film fails to recoup its costs, it will be the fault of the technology, as it hasn't advanced enough to completely replace live actors without falling into the uncanny valley.
American Gangster opened in just two markets this weekend but remained in second place with $10.80 million on 1576 screens in 15 markets for a total of $30.41 million. Those two markets were Sweden and Norway, as the film debuted in first place in both with $466,000 on 60 screens and $404,000 on 43 respectively. As for holdovers, the film remained in first place in the U.K. with $3.76 million on 416 screens over the weekend and $11.80 million in total while in Germany it held even better with $2.07 million on 370 screens for a $5.75 million total. While in France it was in a virtual tie with Saw IV for first place, but had to settle for second with $2.11 million on 364 screens for a total of $6.30 million. It is too early to tell exactly where the film will finish on the international scene, but it is likely that the film will be able to match its domestic total hitting $250 million worldwide. This is good news as the film cost $100 million to make.
Enchanted made its international debut in third place with $7.88 million on 1051 screens in 8 markets. This includes a first place opening in Spain with $3.34 million on 350 screens, and a second place opening in Russia with $2.36 million. These two results are offering mixed signals, but $200 million internationally should not be too difficult to reach.
The Heartbreak Kid remained relatively flat dropping into fourth place with $7.77 million on 2059 screens in 36 markets for a total of $62.50 million. The film was aided by its first place opening in Australia where it earned $1.75 million on 287 screens over the weekend and $2.15 million including previews. Meanwhile, it also opened in first place in neighboring New Zealand with $150,000 on 44 screens and in Hong Kong with $247,000 on 25.
Saw IV jumped into the top five with $4.66 million on 1523 screens in 27 markets for a total of $44.51 million after a month of release. This includes a surprise first place finish in France, but it was close with $2.25 million on 197 screens. On the other hand, it failed to connect in South Korea with $925,000 on 240 screens over the weekend and $1.26 million in total, while in Japan it had the worst week-to-week drop-off down 49% to $448,000 on 118 screens over the weekend and $2.16 million after two.
Filed under: International Box Office, Enchanted, Beowulf, Saw IV, The Heartbreak Kid, American Gangster