Thor 2 extends int’l rule on $53m

Marvel Studios’ superhero sequel brought in an estimated $52.5m from 3,841 venues in 69 territories and dropped around 55% from the second weekend. The film held on to its North American crown as a $90.9m global haul propelled the tally to $479.8m.

After 19 days in release, with launches still to come in Italy and Japan, Thor: The Dark World has passed the 2011 original’s $268m final tally, as well as those of Captain America (2011, $192m), Iron Man (2008, $267m) and Iron Man 2 (2010, $312m).

The film arrived at number one in Argentina on $1.8m. Three of the BRIC markets rank in the top four performers so far. China leads the way on $41.8m, followed by Russia on $31.6m, the UK on $27.4m, Brazil on $20.9m and Mexico on $19.4m.

Thor 2 has generated $19.2m in France, $18.4m in South Korea, $17.6m in Germany, $17.1m in Australia and $7.5m in Spain.

Asian markets have produced exceptional results. Taiwan stands at $9.2m, Malaysia $8.1m, the Philippines $7.6m and Singapore $5.9m. This week (November 20) sees the Italian debut and Japan follows on February 1 2014.

• UPDATE: Gravity has crossed $500m worldwide ahead of the November 19 launch in China. The film grossed a confirmed $19.4m from 4,595 screens in 60 markets through Warner Bros Pictures International to stand at $275.2nm. The North American tally has reached $240.6m, bringing the global tally to $515.8m.

Gravity added $7.7m from 1,082 in the second weekend to stay top in the UK for $23.4m, of which 90% comes from 3D according to Warner Bros. France added $2.8m from 524 for $37.8m to stay top in the fourth session.

Blue Jasmine starring Oscar frontrunner Cate Blanchett opened at number one in Spain on $1.5m from 296.

• Constantin’s German comedy Fack Ju Gohte added $11m for a $24m running total.
• UPDATE: The Counselor arrived in 31 markets through Fox International and added a confirmed $11.6m from 3,762 screens in 40 markets for $20.2m. France delivered a number one debut on $2.6m from 409 and Japan produced the number one foreign film on $1.4m from 470. The Counselor opened in the UK on $1.3m from 437 and arrived in Mexico on $684,723 from 395.

DreamWorks Animation’s Turbo added $2.8m from 2,870 screens in 16 markets for $196.4m. Latest figures put France on $21.4m after five sessions, the UK on $17.6m and Spain on $6.6m. Germany has generated $10.4m after seven.

Philomena has reached an excellent $11.8m in the UK after adding $1.6m from 561 in the third weekend. Percy Jackson: Sea Of Monsters is nearing the end of its journey and has mustered a disappointing $132.3m. The 2010 original finished on $137m.

• Thor 2 will almost certainly relinquish its reign this week when Lionsgate’s The Hunger Games: Catching Fire arrives day-and-date in 65 territories including the North American launch on November 22.

The adventure sequel opened in its first market at the weekend and took $6.3m from 962 screens in Brazil, more than double the $3m debut of the original in spring 2012 and almost three times the local currency figure as R$5.5m compares to R$14.5m. Catching Fire’s world premiere in London on November 11 ushered in a tour of European premieres last week that covered Berlin, Paris, Madrid and the Rome Film Festival.

Lionsgate International’s Escape Plan added $10.8m from 60 markets for $78.6m. Red 2 opened in China on $5.7m a stands at $83.9m internationally.

• South Korean action title Friend 2 grossed $9.5m through Lotte Entertainment.
• UPDATE: Captain Phillips brought in a confirmed $7.7m through Sony Pictures Releasing International (SPRI) from 2,718 screens in 62 markets as the tally climbed to $66.2m.

The true-life thriller opened at number three in Germany on $1.5m from 5433 and debuted in Taiwan at number two on $556,803 from 80. It added $1.1m from 415 in its fifth session in the UK to reach $23.6m. Australia has generated $7.2m after four.

A $4.8m number one debut in Russia from 650 helped Carrie bring in a $7.6m weekend from 2,482 in 38. The horror remake opened at number three in Mexico on $1.2m from 851. The $17.9m running total includes $15.7m from SPRI markets and $2.2m from MGM licensees.

Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs 2 added $4.7m from 3,900 in 42 for $86.7m and added $1.2m from 657 in the UK for $17.7m after four. Russia and Germany have produced $11.3m and $9.3m, respectively.

Stalingrad has amassed a mighty $65.7m from Russia, Ukraine and China. An estimated $51.5m from Russia ranks the war epic as the biggest release of the year-to-date and the third biggest of all time behind Avatar and Pirates Of The Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. China had generated $10.8m heading into the weekend and updates were unavailable at time of writing.

• Medusa’s Italian comedy Sole A Catinelle added $6.5m to reach $58.5m.
• Bad Grandpa brought in $5.5m through Paramount Pictures International from 1,489 sites in 27 markets. The $3.2m number one Australian debut was the highlight as the international running total climbed to $29m. The film ranks as the biggest in the Jackass franchise in the UK on $9.8m after four weekends. Germany has generated $9.1m after the same amount of time. Bad Grandpa is set to open in Brazil and Mexico on November 29.
• UPDATE: Universal Pictures International (UPI) reported that Last Vegas, which the distributor is handling in 13 territories, opened in German-speaking Europe on $1.7m from 458 sites. The comedy ranked number four in Germany on $1.2m from 351. The comedy grossed $4m overall including Good Universe licensees to raise the overall running total to $6.8m.

About Time grossed $189m from 1,215 in 39 for $41.3m. UPI is distributing the 3D Argentinian family film Foosball in Latin America and Spain and it opened in Mexico at number four on $837,000 from 541. The running total from Argentina ($14.3m) and Colombia ($510,000) amounts to $15.6m. Foosball ranks as the highest grossing local film of all time in Argentina.

Despicable Me 2 crossed $550m at the international box office on November 16.