Around-the-World Roundup: 'Looper' Likely Leads Overseas
Coinciding with its domestic debut, Looper got off to a very good start in a handful of key foreign markets this weekend.
Endgame Entertainment, the movie's production company, reported on Sunday morning that they were estimating an opening weekend between $23 and $25 million in China, where a portion of the movie is set. According to unconfirmed reports, though, the reported figure was actually in Chinese Yuen, not in U.S. dollars. Adjusting using Sunday's Yuen-to-dollar exchange rate, the movie actually earned between $3.6 and $3.9 million in China. With the country's National Day holiday and the general secrecy related to box office there, an official figure isn't yet available.
Elsewhere, Looper opened in first place in Russia ($5.1 million) and the U.K. ($3.9 million), and took second place in Australia with $3 million. It also had a fine second place start in Brazil with less than $1 million. Overall, it earned at least $14 million outside of the U.S. and China.
Assuming Looper's Chinese gross actually came in below $4 million, Resident Evil: Retribution actually took first place at the international box office this weekend with $21.1 million. It did fine business in France ($2 million) and Italy ($1.4 million), though it had a pretty awful $1.25 million debut in the U.K. The fifth movie in the Resident Evil franchise has now earned $137.5 million.
Hotel Transylvania also debuted overseas, scoring $11.2 million from 13 markets. It took first place in Mexico with a strong $3.6 million, and has so far earned $5.4 million in Australia (including previews). The movie performed poorly in Japan with $446,047, though that's about on par with Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.
Ted continued its outstanding foreign run this weekend with $9.5 million. That includes a $1.4 million first place debut in Hong Kong, along with a less-impressive $571,000 in South Korea. The movie has now earned $216.3 million overseas ($434 million worldwide) and expands in to Italy and a handful of other territories this weekend.
Ice Age: Continental Drift reached its final major market this weekend and subsequently hit a significant milestone. The movie took first place in Italy with $7.7 million, which brings its foreign total to $691.3 million. That tops the last Ice Age movie to claim the title of highest-grossing animated movie ever overseas, and it should wind up with over $700 million before the end of its run.
The Bourne Legacy also passed one of its predecessors this weekend: it has now earned $112.6 million, which is a tad ahead of The Bourne Supremacy's $112.3 million. Still, The Bourne Ultimatum's $215.4 million is way out of reach.
A week ahead of its U.S. debut, Taken 2 scored an impressive $6.4 million in South Korea. That's over three times as high as the original's opening, which suggests that Taken 2 will significantly outgross its predecessor's $81.8 million overseas total. The anticipated sequel debuts in 47 foreign markets, and the U.S., this coming weekend.
The Hunger Games finally opened in Japan this weekend, adding $1.2 million to bring its foreign total to $278.5 million. Worldwide, the box office sensation has now grossed $686.4 million, which ranks fifth for the year.
Finally, Prometheus eeked past $400 million worldwide this weekend. In comparison, X-Men: First Class topped out at $353.6 million but Fox still managed to greenlight a sequel, so there's still a chance for Prometheus fans that they'll get to see another chapter at some point.
Note: A previous version of this story neglected to include Looper's gross in Russia. Also, a previous version suggested that Looper's Chinese gross was in the $23 to $25 million range.
Other Notables - Weekend Gross - Gross-to-Date (in millions)
Les Seigneurs - $8.2 - $9
Madagascar 3 - $6.8 - $423.3
Brave - $5.2 - $281.9
Hope Springs - $4 - $23.8
Savages - $2.8 - $13.2
The Watch - $2.6 - $26.8
ParaNorman - $2.4 - $32.6
Wimpy Kid 3 - $2.3 - $19.5
Intouchables - $2.2 - $378.1
To Rome with Love - $2.2 - $47.8
Step Up 4 - $1.7 - $95.4
Dark Knight Rises - $1.6 - $630.7
Killing Them Softly - $1.3 - $5
Finding Nemo 3D - $1.1 - $10.2
Discuss this story with fellow Box Office Mojo fans on Facebook. On Twitter, follow us at @boxofficemojo, and follow author Ray Subers at @raysubers.
Related Stories:
• Around-the-World Roundup: 'Resident Evil' Rules Again
• Weekend Report: 'Hotel Transylvania' Scares Up New September Record
Endgame Entertainment, the movie's production company, reported on Sunday morning that they were estimating an opening weekend between $23 and $25 million in China, where a portion of the movie is set. According to unconfirmed reports, though, the reported figure was actually in Chinese Yuen, not in U.S. dollars. Adjusting using Sunday's Yuen-to-dollar exchange rate, the movie actually earned between $3.6 and $3.9 million in China. With the country's National Day holiday and the general secrecy related to box office there, an official figure isn't yet available.
Elsewhere, Looper opened in first place in Russia ($5.1 million) and the U.K. ($3.9 million), and took second place in Australia with $3 million. It also had a fine second place start in Brazil with less than $1 million. Overall, it earned at least $14 million outside of the U.S. and China.
Assuming Looper's Chinese gross actually came in below $4 million, Resident Evil: Retribution actually took first place at the international box office this weekend with $21.1 million. It did fine business in France ($2 million) and Italy ($1.4 million), though it had a pretty awful $1.25 million debut in the U.K. The fifth movie in the Resident Evil franchise has now earned $137.5 million.
Hotel Transylvania also debuted overseas, scoring $11.2 million from 13 markets. It took first place in Mexico with a strong $3.6 million, and has so far earned $5.4 million in Australia (including previews). The movie performed poorly in Japan with $446,047, though that's about on par with Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.
Ted continued its outstanding foreign run this weekend with $9.5 million. That includes a $1.4 million first place debut in Hong Kong, along with a less-impressive $571,000 in South Korea. The movie has now earned $216.3 million overseas ($434 million worldwide) and expands in to Italy and a handful of other territories this weekend.
Ice Age: Continental Drift reached its final major market this weekend and subsequently hit a significant milestone. The movie took first place in Italy with $7.7 million, which brings its foreign total to $691.3 million. That tops the last Ice Age movie to claim the title of highest-grossing animated movie ever overseas, and it should wind up with over $700 million before the end of its run.
The Bourne Legacy also passed one of its predecessors this weekend: it has now earned $112.6 million, which is a tad ahead of The Bourne Supremacy's $112.3 million. Still, The Bourne Ultimatum's $215.4 million is way out of reach.
A week ahead of its U.S. debut, Taken 2 scored an impressive $6.4 million in South Korea. That's over three times as high as the original's opening, which suggests that Taken 2 will significantly outgross its predecessor's $81.8 million overseas total. The anticipated sequel debuts in 47 foreign markets, and the U.S., this coming weekend.
The Hunger Games finally opened in Japan this weekend, adding $1.2 million to bring its foreign total to $278.5 million. Worldwide, the box office sensation has now grossed $686.4 million, which ranks fifth for the year.
Finally, Prometheus eeked past $400 million worldwide this weekend. In comparison, X-Men: First Class topped out at $353.6 million but Fox still managed to greenlight a sequel, so there's still a chance for Prometheus fans that they'll get to see another chapter at some point.
Note: A previous version of this story neglected to include Looper's gross in Russia. Also, a previous version suggested that Looper's Chinese gross was in the $23 to $25 million range.
Other Notables - Weekend Gross - Gross-to-Date (in millions)
Les Seigneurs - $8.2 - $9
Madagascar 3 - $6.8 - $423.3
Brave - $5.2 - $281.9
Hope Springs - $4 - $23.8
Savages - $2.8 - $13.2
The Watch - $2.6 - $26.8
ParaNorman - $2.4 - $32.6
Wimpy Kid 3 - $2.3 - $19.5
Intouchables - $2.2 - $378.1
To Rome with Love - $2.2 - $47.8
Step Up 4 - $1.7 - $95.4
Dark Knight Rises - $1.6 - $630.7
Killing Them Softly - $1.3 - $5
Finding Nemo 3D - $1.1 - $10.2
Discuss this story with fellow Box Office Mojo fans on Facebook. On Twitter, follow us at @boxofficemojo, and follow author Ray Subers at @raysubers.
Related Stories:
• Around-the-World Roundup: 'Resident Evil' Rules Again
• Weekend Report: 'Hotel Transylvania' Scares Up New September Record
