Around the World Roundup: '21' Rolls Into the Top
Shaping up to be an international hit, 21 scored $10 million last weekend from a coincidental 21 territories for a $21.1 million overall tally. Most impressive was its strong holds. The blackjack drama abated 34 percent in Germany, 33 percent in the United Kingdom and 26 percent in Spain. The movie is also poised to take in more than $1 million from two mid-sized markets: Greece and Sweden. New territories were collectively adequate due to a moderate screen count. In Russia, 21 nabbed a solid $2.2 million from 277 theaters, and other openings included Italy ($1.2 million), Argentina (first place $163,950) and Brazil (a satisfactory $634,480). 21 tours the Middle East this weekend along with Venezuela.
Falling to second place, Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who! improved eight percent to $9.5 million for a $116.5 million total. In Italy, the animated comedy opened to $1.4 million, ranking second to Step Up 2 the Streets. Horton had another moderate start in Turkey ($188,257) that was dwarfed by Nim's Island. With just Bulgaria (April 25), China (April 30) and Japan (July 12) ahead, the picture may struggle to surpass its domestic total.
Street Kings expanded by 26 territories to 36 last weekend and earned a respectable $9 million. The crime drama had no stand out markets but could quadruple its $10.5 million tally based on the markets ahead. Openings in Australia ($1.4 million) and the U.K. ($1.2 million) were on the picture's high end while its low end was comprised of Russia ($555,925) and Greece ($160,638). Street Kings will arrive in seven markets this weekend including Spain and Sweden.
Propelled by a very strong $2.2 million opening atop Italy, Step Up 2 the Streets rose to fourth place with $5.7 million from 22 territories for a $76.9 million total. Aside from Italy, little else was going on for the dance sequel as it was in its third weekend or greater in most territories. Its standout markets include the U.K. ($19.4 million total), South Korea ($6.7 million) and Poland ($3.1 million).
The Spiderwick Chronicles rounded out the Top Five with a $5.7 million haul from 48 territories. The fantasy's weekend was fueled by a fabulous start in France ($2.4 million). Also, in the U.K., it fell just 18 percent in its fifth weekend, improving its total to $19.4 million. The family movie will complete its foreign campaign in Japan this weekend.
The Forbidden Kingdom opened day-and-date with its domestic release in five territories with the notable exclusions of Hong Kong, Taiwan and China, which open this weekend, but it wasn't impressive. The oriental fantasy gathered less than $1 million in Malaysia, which was half of CJ7 earlier this year. In Singapore, its $1.1 million was less than Rush Hour 3, and it performed worse in the Philippines ($400,118). Overall, Forbidden Kingdom grossed $3.3 million and placed 11th on the foreign weekend chart.
Also opening day-and-date with its domestic debut but faring much better was Forgetting Sarah Marshall. The raunchy comedy opened well in both Iceland and Australia. In Australia, it took in $1.7 million from 255 screens, which was the same as Superbad and The 40-Year Old Virgin. Sarah Marshall debuts in eight markets this weekend, including Russia and the U.K., and will rollout through the summer.
Meanwhile, in Japan, two annual animated sequels again drew in the crowds. The 12th movie in its series, Meitantei Conan: Senritsu no furu sukoa, earned $4.1 million, topping last year's installment by eight percent. Kureyon Shin-chan: Chô arashi wo yobu kinpoko no yûsha, the sixteenth movie in its series, grabbed $2.5 million, which was marginally lower than last year. These two series have opened on the same weekend every year and have always done excellent business.
RELATED LINKS
• Foreign Weekend Box Office Results
• International Box Office Home Page
Falling to second place, Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who! improved eight percent to $9.5 million for a $116.5 million total. In Italy, the animated comedy opened to $1.4 million, ranking second to Step Up 2 the Streets. Horton had another moderate start in Turkey ($188,257) that was dwarfed by Nim's Island. With just Bulgaria (April 25), China (April 30) and Japan (July 12) ahead, the picture may struggle to surpass its domestic total.
Street Kings expanded by 26 territories to 36 last weekend and earned a respectable $9 million. The crime drama had no stand out markets but could quadruple its $10.5 million tally based on the markets ahead. Openings in Australia ($1.4 million) and the U.K. ($1.2 million) were on the picture's high end while its low end was comprised of Russia ($555,925) and Greece ($160,638). Street Kings will arrive in seven markets this weekend including Spain and Sweden.
Propelled by a very strong $2.2 million opening atop Italy, Step Up 2 the Streets rose to fourth place with $5.7 million from 22 territories for a $76.9 million total. Aside from Italy, little else was going on for the dance sequel as it was in its third weekend or greater in most territories. Its standout markets include the U.K. ($19.4 million total), South Korea ($6.7 million) and Poland ($3.1 million).
The Spiderwick Chronicles rounded out the Top Five with a $5.7 million haul from 48 territories. The fantasy's weekend was fueled by a fabulous start in France ($2.4 million). Also, in the U.K., it fell just 18 percent in its fifth weekend, improving its total to $19.4 million. The family movie will complete its foreign campaign in Japan this weekend.
The Forbidden Kingdom opened day-and-date with its domestic release in five territories with the notable exclusions of Hong Kong, Taiwan and China, which open this weekend, but it wasn't impressive. The oriental fantasy gathered less than $1 million in Malaysia, which was half of CJ7 earlier this year. In Singapore, its $1.1 million was less than Rush Hour 3, and it performed worse in the Philippines ($400,118). Overall, Forbidden Kingdom grossed $3.3 million and placed 11th on the foreign weekend chart.
Also opening day-and-date with its domestic debut but faring much better was Forgetting Sarah Marshall. The raunchy comedy opened well in both Iceland and Australia. In Australia, it took in $1.7 million from 255 screens, which was the same as Superbad and The 40-Year Old Virgin. Sarah Marshall debuts in eight markets this weekend, including Russia and the U.K., and will rollout through the summer.
Meanwhile, in Japan, two annual animated sequels again drew in the crowds. The 12th movie in its series, Meitantei Conan: Senritsu no furu sukoa, earned $4.1 million, topping last year's installment by eight percent. Kureyon Shin-chan: Chô arashi wo yobu kinpoko no yûsha, the sixteenth movie in its series, grabbed $2.5 million, which was marginally lower than last year. These two series have opened on the same weekend every year and have always done excellent business.
RELATED LINKS
• Foreign Weekend Box Office Results
• International Box Office Home Page
