International Details - Harry Was Not the Only Film to Light Up the Charts

July 22, 2007

As expected, The Transformers fell to second place this week, what wasn't expected was how well it held on. The film was down a mere 23% to $36.13 million on 3667 screens in 31 markets for a total of $146.66 million internationally. The film opened in China with a record-setting $12.6 million on 300 screens over the first five days while it earned $498,000 on 71 in Greece and $258,000 from 28 in Israel. The film's best market so far has been South Korea where it has taken in $39.52 million in three weeks, including $5.76 million on 540 screens this past weekend. This is a record for a non-South Korean film and an unexpectedly strong performance. Additionally, the film has yet to open in a number of major markets including the U.K., Japan, France, and Mexico and should hit $300 million internationally and $600 million worldwide, if not more.

  • While The Transformers held on well despite the onslaught of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Live Free or Die Hard was not as lucky plummeting 58% this past weekend. It still earned $17.99 million on 5950 screens in 49 markets over the weekend for a total of $121.18 million internationally. Only Die Hard with a Vengeance earned more internationally. The film's best market continues to be the U.K. where it added $4.05 million on 459 screens for a two-week total of $18.62 million, which is inline with its domestic performance if you take into account the relative size of the two markets.
  • Shrek the Third also fell hard down 50% to $17.96 million on 5654 screens in 41 markets for a total of $361.34 million. The film fell 45% during its third weekend in the U.K. adding $5.71 million on 495 screens to its total of $62.47 million, making it one of the biggest hits in the market this year. However, that is slightly below the previous film's pace.
  • The latest Pokemon movie, Pokemon 2007, opened in first place in its native market with $6.43 million on 251 screens. Normally a per screen average of $18.307 would indicated strong legs in this market, but Pokemon films tend to get slapped by the Fanboy Effect very hard, even in a market with historically strong legs like Japan.
  • Ratatouille is taking the slow expansion route, which means it won't top the chart any time soon, but it is holding on better than most films. This past weekend it added $5.79 million on 1927 screens in 14 markets for a still early total of $29.61 million. The film had no major or even midlevel openings this past weekend making its 37% drop-off even more remarkable.
  • Monkey Magic opened in second place in Japan with $4.30 million on 460 screens. While this was substantially lower than Pokemon 2007 opened with this weekend, I have a feeling this one will hold on much better and surpass that film in the end.
  • Ocean's Thirteen fell from fourth to eighth with $4.24 million on 3386 screens in 49 markets for a total of $151.73 million. This is about $100 million below the final tally of Ocean's Twelve, and this film has very few openings left to make up the difference.
  • Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End placed ninth this weekend with $3.96 million on 3588 screens in 79 markets for a total of $634.07 million internationally. This time next week the film will have surpassed Dead Man's Chest for fourth place on that chart. Worldwide the film has earned $940.10 million, but it will likely end its run in fifth place. Taking a look at its individual markets, Japan climbed ahead of the U.K. in total box office, $81.72 million to $81.48 million and Japan earned $1.56 million on 622 screens this past weekend.
  • Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer managed to grab the last spot in the top ten with $3.30 million on 2690 screens in 31 markets for a total of $104.52 million. Hitting $100 million internationally was a big milestone for the picture and with openings in South Korea, France, Germany and other major markets still to come, it should have no problem topping its domestic total and reaching as high as $300 million worldwide.
  • Knocked Up was knocked out of the top ten but still added $2.07 million on 223 screens in Australia for a two week total of $6.87 million. That's just over the $6.84 million The 40-Year Old Virgin earned in total there, which bodes well for the film's chances internationally. However, one should keep in mind that its international run is still young and things can change dramatically.
  • The Cut opened in third place in South Korea and 12th place internationally with $1.93 million on 256 screens over the weekend and $2.43 million in total.
  • Naqaab opened in India and more than a dozen other markets earning 13th place with $1.10 million on 523 screens in 15 markets. This is below expectations and it seems unlikely that the film will ever break even.
That's it for the $1 million movies, but we still have a few updated totals...


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Filed under: International Box Office, Shrek the Third, Transformers, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End, Ratatouille, Knocked Up, Live Free or Die Hard, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, Ocean's Thirteen, Bridge to Terabithia, The Good Shepherd, Zodiac, Hot Fuzz, Hostel: Part II, The Cut, Naqaab, Pokemon 2007: Diamond & Pearl, Monkey Magic