Will International Audiences feel Passionate?

March 16, 2004

It may have not made it in the Top Five so far in its run, but there's enough interest in The Passion of the Christ's performance that it warrants a mention. So far the film had pulled in $13.9 million in half a dozen markets since its release three weeks ago. Had the movie merely met expectations domestically, this would have been impressive. But with Passion doubling, or even tripling some analysts' expectations domestically, this is a bit of a disappointment. Add in the fact that the movie has opened in several very Christian nations like Poland, Portugal and Ireland and the rest of the run looks rather less impressive. In many aspects Ireland is more religious than the United States, but Passions failed to open in first place earning just more than half of Starsky and Hutch. Compare that to the Germany, for instance, where less than one in 10 people attend church regularly and its potential is less rosy. And outside predominately Christian nations the prospects are even bleaker.

What does this mean for its total international box office? It is very unlikely The Passion of the Christ will top its domestic run internationally. I would go so far as to say its current domestic total, ($264 million) will be significantly above its final international total. Look for $200 million internationally.


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Filed under: International Box Office, The Passion of the Christ, Starsky & Hutch