'Four' No. 1 abroad; 'War' rages
Overseas boxoffice
July 11, 2005
SYDNEY -- "War of the Worlds" continued its invasion of international cinemas this weekend, grossing an estimated $60.5 million for a total to date after only 12 days of $201 million. Meanwhile, "Fantastic Four" bowed No. 1 in all 15 of its markets, "Star Wars: Episode III -- Revenge of the Sith" exploded in Japan and "Bewitched" showed good if not magical returns in Australia.
"War of the Worlds" debuted in France to an estimated $11 million from 848 locations, marking a personal best for star Tom Cruise and studio Paramount and the second-biggest opening of all time there for distributors United International Pictures.
In South Korea, Steven Spielberg's dystopian alien pic earned about $6.8 million from 300 sites, lifting the four-day cume to $8.5 million, a best for the star, director, distributor and studio in that market.
"War of the Worlds" did $1.4 million from 85 locations in Belgium, the biggest July opening there ever as well as the best takings for a Paramount or Cruise picture.
In Portugal, takings were about $750,000 from 70 locations, marking the best ever for UIP, Paramount, Spielberg and Cruise.
In holdovers, "War of the Worlds" dropped between 40% and 50% across the board, except in Japan (37%). An $8 million weekend in the U.K. held the No. 1 position and brought the cume there to a hefty $32.2 million. The pic also earned an additional $3.7 million in Germany (total $13.4 million, No. 1) and $2.3 million in Italy (total $11 million).
"Revenge of the Sith" opened in Japan to a massive $17 million from 757 screens, including previews of $7.3 million. Even without previews, this was the territory's third-biggest weekend ever, behind "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" and "The Matrix Reloaded," and a best for distributor Fox. George Lucas' franchise finale has earned $391 million internationally and is on track to pass $400 million this week. "Sith's" Japanese opening kicked "War of the Worlds" back to $5.2 million for a lifetime total there of $26.7 million.
"Bewitched" took its first international bow in star Nicole Kidman's home territory of Australia, earning $2.5 million on 289 screens. This was a narrow second behind opener "Fantastic Four" with $2.6 million on 303 and just inches ahead of "War of the Worlds" (cume $10.7 million). The total is well behind recent smash "Hitch" ($3.5 million) but not far from "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days" ($2.8 million) and "Something's Gotta Give" ($2.5 million).
"Fantastic Four" debuted at No. 1 in 14 other markets this weekend, earning just over $16 million on 2,654 screens.
The highlight was Mexico, where the family action-adventure took in $5.6 million on 951 screens, a best for Fox and the industry's fourth-biggest opening there ever.
In Brazil, Tim Story's tale of a group of astronauts who gain superpowers took about $1.9 million on 413 screens in the second-richest opening of the year behind "War of the Worlds."
Other bows included Taiwan ($1.04 million on 170), comparable to "Batman Begins" and well ahead of both "X-Men" movie, and New Zealand with a softer $342,000 on 60, before upcoming school vacations.
Fox also opened "Mr. & Mrs. Smith" in China where it cleared about $2.17 million on 450 screens, the industry's fourth-highest bow there behind "Titanic," "Revenge of the Sith" and "The Day After Tomorrow." The cume stands at about $117 million.
UIP completed its rollout of "Madagascar" and earned another $15 million over the weekend for an international tally of $103 million.
Openers included Argentina with $700,000 from 94 and French Switzerland with $675,000 from 29.
"Herbie: Fully Loaded" continued to roll out internationally, skidding to $1.8 million on 453 screens and five territories for a cume of $6.5 million. Openings included Holland with $590,000 on 140 and Argentina with $125,000 from 70. In Australia, "Herbie's" cume of $5.3 million has already passed that of "Haunted Mansion," thanks to school holidays.
"A Lot Like Love," starring Ashton Kutcher and Amanda Peet, opened in Spain in 70 locations, grossing $480,000, bettering the take of "Sweet Home Alabama." The romantic comedy has earned $13.5 million on 902 screens across 28 territories.
"War of the Worlds" debuted in France to an estimated $11 million from 848 locations, marking a personal best for star Tom Cruise and studio Paramount and the second-biggest opening of all time there for distributors United International Pictures.
In South Korea, Steven Spielberg's dystopian alien pic earned about $6.8 million from 300 sites, lifting the four-day cume to $8.5 million, a best for the star, director, distributor and studio in that market.
"War of the Worlds" did $1.4 million from 85 locations in Belgium, the biggest July opening there ever as well as the best takings for a Paramount or Cruise picture.
In Portugal, takings were about $750,000 from 70 locations, marking the best ever for UIP, Paramount, Spielberg and Cruise.
In holdovers, "War of the Worlds" dropped between 40% and 50% across the board, except in Japan (37%). An $8 million weekend in the U.K. held the No. 1 position and brought the cume there to a hefty $32.2 million. The pic also earned an additional $3.7 million in Germany (total $13.4 million, No. 1) and $2.3 million in Italy (total $11 million).
"Revenge of the Sith" opened in Japan to a massive $17 million from 757 screens, including previews of $7.3 million. Even without previews, this was the territory's third-biggest weekend ever, behind "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" and "The Matrix Reloaded," and a best for distributor Fox. George Lucas' franchise finale has earned $391 million internationally and is on track to pass $400 million this week. "Sith's" Japanese opening kicked "War of the Worlds" back to $5.2 million for a lifetime total there of $26.7 million.
"Bewitched" took its first international bow in star Nicole Kidman's home territory of Australia, earning $2.5 million on 289 screens. This was a narrow second behind opener "Fantastic Four" with $2.6 million on 303 and just inches ahead of "War of the Worlds" (cume $10.7 million). The total is well behind recent smash "Hitch" ($3.5 million) but not far from "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days" ($2.8 million) and "Something's Gotta Give" ($2.5 million).
"Fantastic Four" debuted at No. 1 in 14 other markets this weekend, earning just over $16 million on 2,654 screens.
The highlight was Mexico, where the family action-adventure took in $5.6 million on 951 screens, a best for Fox and the industry's fourth-biggest opening there ever.
In Brazil, Tim Story's tale of a group of astronauts who gain superpowers took about $1.9 million on 413 screens in the second-richest opening of the year behind "War of the Worlds."
Other bows included Taiwan ($1.04 million on 170), comparable to "Batman Begins" and well ahead of both "X-Men" movie, and New Zealand with a softer $342,000 on 60, before upcoming school vacations.
Fox also opened "Mr. & Mrs. Smith" in China where it cleared about $2.17 million on 450 screens, the industry's fourth-highest bow there behind "Titanic," "Revenge of the Sith" and "The Day After Tomorrow." The cume stands at about $117 million.
UIP completed its rollout of "Madagascar" and earned another $15 million over the weekend for an international tally of $103 million.
Openers included Argentina with $700,000 from 94 and French Switzerland with $675,000 from 29.
"Herbie: Fully Loaded" continued to roll out internationally, skidding to $1.8 million on 453 screens and five territories for a cume of $6.5 million. Openings included Holland with $590,000 on 140 and Argentina with $125,000 from 70. In Australia, "Herbie's" cume of $5.3 million has already passed that of "Haunted Mansion," thanks to school holidays.
"A Lot Like Love," starring Ashton Kutcher and Amanda Peet, opened in Spain in 70 locations, grossing $480,000, bettering the take of "Sweet Home Alabama." The romantic comedy has earned $13.5 million on 902 screens across 28 territories.
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