Tsunami drama has also started strongly in France and Thailand, where the film is set.

The Impossible has crushed all box office records in Spain since its release on Oct 10.

It stood at the top of the box office for five consecutive weeks became the highest grossing Spanish film of all time on Nov 20.

With more than 5.6 million tickets sold, the film has now overtaken Titanic and has grossed $50m. Two months after release, it is in fourth place at the Spanish box office.

It continues to a strong year for Spanish cinema, with three domestic films among the top 10 of 2012: The Impossible; Tad, The Explorer ($23m); and I Want You ($15.7m).

The Impossible stars Ewan McGregor and Naomi Watts as parents on vacation with their children in Thailand who survive a tsunami.

Directed by JA Bayona, the film is produced by Telecinco Cinema and Apaches Entertainment, and is distributed by Warner Bros.

France/Thailand

The film has already begun to be shown internationally. In France, The Impossible debuted at number three on Nov 21 and has already grossed $2.95m with a solid $4,086 average per copy.

In Thailand, where the film is set and was shot, it debuted last weekend at number three with $299,291 grossed.

The film is distributed by in France by SND and in Thailand by Mongkol Major.

In the US, it has won the Hamilton Behind the Camera Award and the Hollywood Spotlight Award for young actor Tom Holland.

Distributed in the US by Summit Entertainment, it will open on Dec 21 to enter the Oscar race.

Other release dates for The Impossible are:

  • Dec 21: Brazil
  • Jan 1: UK/Ireland
  • Jan 3: Argentina
  • Jan 17: Portugal/Netherland
  • Jan 24: Italy
  • Jan 31: Germany
  • Feb 14: Russia