Around the World Roundup: Two Indian Movies Lead
As the rest of the world saw the box office sag before the holiday movies hit full swing, India awoke and supplied the globe's two top grossers for the weekend. The second most populous nation celebrated Deepavali (or the Hindu Festival of Light) over the weekend, which sent most people to the cinemas. The romantic action drama Om Shanti Om led the way with $18.2 million from 17 markets. It was the first time this year an Indian movie led the foreign box office. The picture tabulated an estimated $15.5 million in its native land while also grabbing $1.1 million from just 52 screens in the United Kingdom. In second place was the musical Saawariya, which made $13.3 million over the weekend from 12 territories, with $12.4 million of that coming from India alone.
In third place, Lions for Lambs grabbed $10.3 million from a near worldwide launch. While failing to top the charts in nearly all of its markets, the war drama mustered a decent collective opening that was relatively better than its American debut, but suggested a sub-$50 million finish. In Australia, it nabbed a second-place $840,740 from 248 screens and ranked sixth in Germany ($1 million from 300 screens) and the U.K. ($1.4 million from 404 screens).
After a five week reign, Ratatouille slid to fourth place with $9.3 million from 30 countries. The animated comedy still led in four markets but has seen its box office dwindle with no openings in three weeks. It now has $388.6 million to date, eclipsing Transformers.
Rounding out the top five was The Heartbreak Kid with $8.7 million from 23 territories. With a $41.3 million tally, the comedy surpassed its disappointing domestic. It had good openings in Italy, with $2.8 million from 206 screens in Italy, besting Mr. Bean's Holiday, Sweden ($214,143 from 36), Turkey ($295,401 from 59) and Brazil ($709,447 from 113). Additionally it held well in Germany (down 31 percent for a $6.6 million total), Mexico (off 37 percent for a $2.9 million total) and Switzerland (up 17 percent for an $825,830 total).
RELATED LINKS
• Foreign Weekend Box Office Results
• International Box Office Home Page
In third place, Lions for Lambs grabbed $10.3 million from a near worldwide launch. While failing to top the charts in nearly all of its markets, the war drama mustered a decent collective opening that was relatively better than its American debut, but suggested a sub-$50 million finish. In Australia, it nabbed a second-place $840,740 from 248 screens and ranked sixth in Germany ($1 million from 300 screens) and the U.K. ($1.4 million from 404 screens).
After a five week reign, Ratatouille slid to fourth place with $9.3 million from 30 countries. The animated comedy still led in four markets but has seen its box office dwindle with no openings in three weeks. It now has $388.6 million to date, eclipsing Transformers.
Rounding out the top five was The Heartbreak Kid with $8.7 million from 23 territories. With a $41.3 million tally, the comedy surpassed its disappointing domestic. It had good openings in Italy, with $2.8 million from 206 screens in Italy, besting Mr. Bean's Holiday, Sweden ($214,143 from 36), Turkey ($295,401 from 59) and Brazil ($709,447 from 113). Additionally it held well in Germany (down 31 percent for a $6.6 million total), Mexico (off 37 percent for a $2.9 million total) and Switzerland (up 17 percent for an $825,830 total).
RELATED LINKS
• Foreign Weekend Box Office Results
• International Box Office Home Page
