Around-the-World Roundup: 'Iron Man 2' Soars Past $100 Million
Iron Man 2 had a massive start at the foreign box office in its first five days, grossing $100.2 million at 6,845 locations in 53 territories. This was up slightly from Iron Man's 2008 foreign launch of $99.1 million, though in an apples-to-apples territory comparison Iron Man 2 improved on the original by an average of 26 percent (in local currency). Add in its Monday and Tuesday grosses, and Iron Man 2 is at $121.1 million through its first week in foreign theaters. Domestically, Iron Man 2 is set to open in around 4,000 theaters this Friday.
The Marvel Entertainment movie had its best debut in the United Kingdom, where it grossed $11.7 million from 528 locations, representing a 43 percent improvement over its predecessor. Tony Stark and company also drew huge crowds in South Korea, where its $11 million from 855 locations was up 82 percent over Iron Man's launch two years ago. Other noteworthy starts included $9.7 million in France, $8.8 million in Australia, $8.7 million in Russia, $7 million in Mexico, $4.8 million in Brazil, $4.8 million in Italy and $3.6 million in Spain.
Within its 53 territories, Iron Man 2 debuted on 48 IMAX screens, grossing an estimated $2.25 million for a $47,000 per screen average. This bests the previous 2D record holder, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen ($2.1 million).
It may seem odd for Iron Man 2 to have already opened in this many foreign territories, but distributor Paramount Pictures did originally have the picture scheduled to launch domestically on April 30. The studio stuck with that date internationally to get an extra week in before much of the world is consumed by 2010 World Cup fever starting June 11. Iron Man 2 still has a number of significant foreign openings coming up, including China, India and Germany next week and Japan on June 11.
Alice in Wonderland was second overseas, down just 12 percent to $24.03 million from 54 markets. Including its Monday and Tuesday grosses, Alice's foreign total is now $606.7 million. When added to its domestic total, Alice has made an astounding $936.7 million, good for ninth place on the all-time worldwide list. Based on its current pace, it should at least come close to crossing the $1 billion mark before the end of its run.
Clash of the Titans finished in third with $18.8 million in 61 markets, representing a 43 percent decline. After five weekends, Clash's foreign sum is $274.8 million, putting it ahead of 300 ($245.5 million) and Gladiator ($269.9 million), though it still lags behind Troy ($364 million) among similar titles.
How to Train Your Dragon came in fourth place, down 21 percent to $8.2 million from 4,655 locations in 49 territories. Dragon's $204.4 million total puts it ahead of many Dreamworks Animation movies, but it still lags way behind each movie from the Shrek and Madagascar series, and Kung Fu Panda.
Domestic Weekend Report:
• 'Nightmare' Wakes Up in First, No Flurry for 'Furry'
Last Weekend's Around-the-World Roundup:
• 'Clash,' 'Alice' Reign Again
The Marvel Entertainment movie had its best debut in the United Kingdom, where it grossed $11.7 million from 528 locations, representing a 43 percent improvement over its predecessor. Tony Stark and company also drew huge crowds in South Korea, where its $11 million from 855 locations was up 82 percent over Iron Man's launch two years ago. Other noteworthy starts included $9.7 million in France, $8.8 million in Australia, $8.7 million in Russia, $7 million in Mexico, $4.8 million in Brazil, $4.8 million in Italy and $3.6 million in Spain.
Within its 53 territories, Iron Man 2 debuted on 48 IMAX screens, grossing an estimated $2.25 million for a $47,000 per screen average. This bests the previous 2D record holder, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen ($2.1 million).
It may seem odd for Iron Man 2 to have already opened in this many foreign territories, but distributor Paramount Pictures did originally have the picture scheduled to launch domestically on April 30. The studio stuck with that date internationally to get an extra week in before much of the world is consumed by 2010 World Cup fever starting June 11. Iron Man 2 still has a number of significant foreign openings coming up, including China, India and Germany next week and Japan on June 11.
Alice in Wonderland was second overseas, down just 12 percent to $24.03 million from 54 markets. Including its Monday and Tuesday grosses, Alice's foreign total is now $606.7 million. When added to its domestic total, Alice has made an astounding $936.7 million, good for ninth place on the all-time worldwide list. Based on its current pace, it should at least come close to crossing the $1 billion mark before the end of its run.
Clash of the Titans finished in third with $18.8 million in 61 markets, representing a 43 percent decline. After five weekends, Clash's foreign sum is $274.8 million, putting it ahead of 300 ($245.5 million) and Gladiator ($269.9 million), though it still lags behind Troy ($364 million) among similar titles.
How to Train Your Dragon came in fourth place, down 21 percent to $8.2 million from 4,655 locations in 49 territories. Dragon's $204.4 million total puts it ahead of many Dreamworks Animation movies, but it still lags way behind each movie from the Shrek and Madagascar series, and Kung Fu Panda.
Domestic Weekend Report:
• 'Nightmare' Wakes Up in First, No Flurry for 'Furry'
Last Weekend's Around-the-World Roundup:
• 'Clash,' 'Alice' Reign Again
