Around the World Roundup: 'Bean' Beams
Dislodging 300 from the foreign top spot over the weekend, Mr. Bean's Holiday counted $34.2 million from 26 territories for a $36.5 million early total.

The follow-up to Bean, which grossed $205.9 million overseas nearly ten years ago, led 21 of its 24 new territories. Not surprisingly, the comedy's native United Kingdom was its top market, delivering the best opening of the year at $12.7 million from 515 screens. It also posted year-to-date highs in Germany ($5.6 million form 845 screens) and Australia ($3.1 million from 257). Most impressive, though, was Finland's $624,149 from 56 screens, which exceeded the movie's debuts in historically higher-grossing Scandinavian territories like Denmark ($377,710 from 59) and Sweden ($401,934 from 71). Mr. Bean was less impressive in Russia ($979,576) and Spain ($2.3 million), and it held well in Malaysia (down 28 percent for a $1.5 million total) and Singapore (off 46 percent for a $1.9 million total).

Putting up a good fight, 300 nabbed $31.7 million from 52 markets overseas for a $128.2 million total. The digital battle picture captured two new markets: Brazil, where its $2.7 million start was the highest ever for a 16-rated picture, and Argentina ($762,000). Holdovers were relatively solid. The U.K. was down 42 percent to $4.5 million for a $17.7 million total, while Italy eased by 38 percent to $3 million for a $9.7 million total. Also, despite falling 46 percent to $3.6 million in Spain, 300 remained in first place there against Bean's debut, and it continued to amaze in Greece with $10.4 million in the till.

Initial results for Meet the Robinsons were far from Pixar's league but better than such titles as Monster House, The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie or Home on the Range. Ranking third over the weekend, Meet the Robinsons drew $8.5 million from 26 markets, hoping to take advantage of school holidays in the coming weeks. The computer-animated comedy's best launch was in the U.K. but its $2 million from 410 screens was half of what Disney stable mate Chicken Little did in 2006. In Mexico, it made an excellent $1.8 million from 450 screens, which was on par with Open Season. Other openings included Spain ($1.5 million from 403 screens), Russia ($525,000) and Australia ($768,966).

The rest of the Top Five were unclear at this time, but it looks like the battle for fourth and fifth was between Music and Lyrics and new entry The Hills Have Eyes 2, with around $4.3 million each. The horror sequel matched Meet the Robinsons in the U.K. with $2 million and opened in second place in Germany with $893,678 from 365 screens. Meanwhile, Music and Lyrics relied on holdovers, led by Germany's $877,000 fourth weekend, and its overall gross rose to $73.8 million.

RELATED LINKS

• Foreign Weekend Box Office Results

• International Box Office Results Home Page