Foreign Box Office: 'G.I. Joe' Strong Overseas, Posts Early Total of $37.4 Million

Jon Chu's G.I. Joe: Retaliation took in $18.4 million at the international box office on Friday, pushing its early foreign total to a pleasing $37.4 million.

our editor recommends

G.I. Joe: Retaliation: Film Review

'G.I. Joe: Retaliation' Premiere: Bruce Willis Wins a Beard Bet, Dwayne Johnson Rocks as Roadblock

In North America, the action sequel earned $15.5 million on Friday for a two-day domestic cume of $26 million. Benefiting from the Easter holiday, the movie has earned $63.4 million through Friday and is now anticipating a global debut of $110 million or more.

BOX OFFICE REPORT: 'G.I. Joe' Scores With $15.5 Million on Friday, Headed for $50 Million-Plus Debut

Paramount financed and produced G.I. Joe with partners MGM and Skydance Productions in association with Hasbro, maker of the G.I. Joe doll.

Internationally, where it is opening in roughly 75 percent of all markets, G.I. Joe is running 50 percent ahead of G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, which opened in August 2009.

That's likely due to the appeal of franchise newcomers Dwayne Johnson and Bruce Willis, as well as the fact that the sequel was converted to 3D, a favorite format in Russia, Latin America and much of Asia.

Rise of the Cobra ultimately earned $152.3 million domestically; Paramount is already anticipating that Retaliation has a shot at clearing $200 million overseas. It's also pacing ahead of Wrath of the Titans, which ended up earning roughly $220 million internationally.