Aquaman Splashes To $483M WW; Spider-Verse Leads China; Bumblebee Bows With $31M – International Box Office
Warner Bros
Refresh for latest…: Riding another wave at the international box office, Warner Bros/DCs Aquaman scored a hat trick as the top movie for the third consecutive overseas frame. Reeling in $91.3M from 70 markets this weekend, the heir to Atlantis raised the offshore cume to $410.7M. Along with the domestic start, the global tally is $482.8M. That figure will reach the $500M mark with Mondays grosses.
The James Wan-helmed origins story is tracking as the highest-grossing title in the DCEU at 22% above Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice, 52% above Justice League and 86% ahead of Wonder Woman in like-for-likes and at the same point in release. In China, the run continues to go swimmingly with a local total of $232.8M (RMB 1.6B). Jason Momoas Aquaman/Arthur Curry now has bragging rights to leading the 7th biggest import film ever in the Middle Kingdom where the studio recoups 25% of the turnstile take. Majors Australia, Italy and Japan are still to dive into action over the coming weeks.
With the Christmas holiday fast approaching, kids off from school in many markets and no Star Wars movie dominating the galaxy, there were varied offerings in different areas this session. Paramounts Bumblebee and Disneys Mary Poppins Returns were new while Sonys Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse expanded, notably swinging into China with a $26.1M start. The animated webslingers debut is the 4th best launch of all time for a Hollywood toon, and the best of the genre this year in the Middle Kingdom. In total, 53 Spidey markets in play this session snared $38M for a $64.8M overseas cume. Markets to come include Mexico, Italy, Brazil and Japan.
Bumblebee, the well-reviewed Travis Knight-helmed origin story, doesnt go to China, a huge Transformers market, until January 4. In the meantime, it buzzed into its first 38 hubs with $31.1M. Russia has put $4.9M in the tank from 1,200 locations, having held previews last weekend when it opened at No. 2. This frame came in at No. 4. South East Asia openers delivered No. 1s and 2s at bow, including Indonesia ($4.9M from 328 sites), Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore and Vietnam. Bumblebee this weekend is out in just 34% of the overseas footprint with 17 markets joining in the coming week.
As expected in the UK, Disneys Mary Poppins Returns elbowed Aquaman out of the No. 1 spot as the Emily Blunt-starrer began its staggered offshore rollout. The full start in 17 markets was $20.3M with the UK lighting up $9.4M to triple the debuts of The Greatest Showman and Into The Woods. This weekend was all about Europe for Mary while international releases continue through February.
In milestones, Universal/Illuminations The Grinch crossed $400M worldwide off strong holds in Europe, including increases in both Germany and the UK. Disneys Ralph Breaks The Internet crossed $300M global with a No. 1 launch in Japan.
Breakdowns on the films above and more are being updated below.
NEW
BUMBLEBEE
Paramounts origins story reboots the Transformers franchise with humor and an emotional connection thats looking to be spurred good word of mouth. The ET-like tale starring Hailee Steinfeld came in at $31.1M in its first 38 overseas markets this session, repping 34% of the international footprint and with much play ahead during the holiday season.
Russia had previewed wide last weekend and has grossed $4.9M from 1,200 locations. Indonesia this weekend opened to $4.9M from 328 at No. 1, followed by Mexico ($3.9M/821/No. 2), Australia ($2.8M/271/No. 1) and Malaysia ($2.6M/150/No. 1).
South East Asia is already leaning in with China expected to lead all play once the VW Bug drives to the Middle Kingdom. The last two films in the Transformers series did best in China, although last years Last Knight was notably down on the previous pic, Age Of Extinction. Bumblebee opens in China on January 4 and does not yet appear to have a Douban score, but it does have a great local partner in Tencent Pictures which is acting as an investor and co-marketing partner.
Elsewhere, the holiday corridor is crowded and well see how word of mouth helps spread the word, along with Steinfeld and co-star John Cenas combined 80M social media followers. There are 17 markets opening next week including France, the UK, Brazil, Korea and Spain. Japan goes in March.
MARY POPPINS RETURNS
Disneys sequel to the 1964 Oscar-winning musical swallowed a $20.3M spoonful from its first 17 offshore markets (47% of the overseas footprint). This is a staggered release that will see debuts throughout the holidays and into February. This weekend, the focus was on Europe with the UK the top opener at No. 1 and $9.4M.
Emily Blunts update on Julie Andrews British nanny had a 45% share of the UK market and tripled the opening weekends of The Greatest Showman and Into The Woods, while almost doubling last years Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle and topping Bohemian Rhapsody by 15%. Musicals tend to leg out, as is the case notably with Showman and Bo Rhap above, and given the family nature of this film and the season, expect Mary to fly nicely. There are sold out shows in the coming week (although, remember that in the UK cinemas are closed on December 25). Both Blunt and co-star Lin Manuel Miranda appeared on Graham Nortons couch on Friday to promote the pic.
Also strong was the start in Italy where Mary took No. 1 with $2.8M and topped fellow Blunt-starrer Into The Woods by 117%, Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again by 111%, The Greatest Showman by 23% and La La Land by 19%.
Frances $2M was ahead of Into The Woods, Showman and Mamma Mia 2. Germany, with $1.9M, topped Woods, La La and Showman. In both Spain ($1.4M) and Belgium ($500K), Mary Poppins Returns opened at No. 2. For a family pic, Brazils $500K is disappointing.
Next weekend adds Mexico, along with Scandinavia and some of Asia (Mary will not be going to China as its just not a fit for the market). Later on, Australia, Russia, Japan and Korea chime in.
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