Around-the-World: 'Fifty Shades' Approaches $500 Million Worldwide
For the third weekend in a row, Fifty Shades of Grey easily took first place at the international box office.

The worldwide phenomenon added $36 million from 59 markets, which brings its overseas total to a stunning $338.4 million. Holdover markets were off an average of 46 percent from last weekend.

The movie's only new territory was South Korea, where it opened in fourth place with $1.8 million; according to Universal, this comparatively low debut correlates with the fact that the book never really penetrated this market.

Fifty Shades of Grey has now earned $486 million worldwide, and is on track to reach $500 million in the next week or so.

Playing in 67 markets, Kingsman: The Secret Service took in $25.6 million this weekend. It continued to do excellent business in South Korea, where it held on to first place with $5.3 million. To date, it's the fourth-highest-grossing Fox movie ever with $25.4 million.

Kingsman also had a handful of decent debuts in Mexico ($1.75 million), Spain ($1.36 million) and Italy ($1.23 million). The movie has over $124 million in the bank so far, and still has Germany, Brazil and China on the way.

Big Hero 6 opened to $14.8 million in China this weekend, which is the biggest debut ever for a Disney animated release. Overall, it took in $21.6 million for a new total of $351.3 million.

The Disney Animation movie has now earned $572 million worldwide, and will absolutely be passing $600 million by the end of its run.

American Sniper had another strong weekend overseas, where it added $19.5 million for a new total of $139.1 million. It debuted to $3.4 million in Germany, which is the top opening ever for director Clint Eastwood. The movie also held well in France (down 27 percent) and Japan (down 19 percent). Next weekend, American Sniper expands in to Russia.

Playing in 36 markets, The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water soaked up $14.2 million this weekend. Its biggest new market was Italy, where it took first place with $2.3 million. To date, SpongeBob has earned $96.3 million, and still has the U.K. and Australia coming up around Easter.

Coinciding with its domestic debut, Will Smith's Focus (2015) opened in 31 international markets and grossed an estimated $12.2 million. Its biggest territories were Russia and the U.K. with $3.1 million and $3 million, respectively. Next weekend, it expands in to Germany, Italy, Australia and Mexico.

The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel opened in three markets where it earned an estimated $9.4 million this weekend. It took first place in the U.K. with $5.9 million, which is 170 percent above the original's debut. It also grabbed the top spot in Australia with $3.05 million.

The movie opens nationwide in the U.S. next weekend; the original Best Exotic Marigold Hotel earned $137 million worldwide, and it will be interesting to see how the sequel compares.

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Forecast

'Focus' to Pickpocket $20-Million-Plus This Weekend

Last Weekend

Moviegoers Flee From 'Fifty Shades'


This Timeframe in Past Years:

• 2014 - Neeson Beats Jesus, 'Frozen' Hits $1 Billion


• 2013 - 'Jack' Not Very 'Giant'

• 2012 - Little 'Lorax' Is Box Office Giant

• 2011 - 'Rango' Moseys Into Top Spot

• 2010 - 'Shutter Island' Hangs On, 'Cop Out,' 'Crazies' Debut Decently

• 2009 - 'Madea' Gives 'Jonas Brothers' a Lickin'

• 2008 - 'Semi-Pro' Can't Jump

• 2007 - 'Wild Hogs' Easily Ride to the Top

• 2006 - '16 Blocks' Gets Clocked by 'Madea'

• 2005 - 'Pacifier' Packs Them In


Related Charts

Weekend Box Office Results

2015 Domestic Box Office