The Avengers races to $178.4m international opening weekend

Marketed and distributed for the first time through the Disney pipeline, The Avengers produced in $24.7m Disney’s biggest three-day launch in the UK as well as the biggest debut for Marvel and indeed any superhero adaptation. The film is now active in 70% of the international footprint and opens this week in China, Russia and North America in what promises to be another massive session.

The thunderous opening salvo generated a series of all-time industry marks in Mexico on $15.9m, Brazil on $11.3m, Taiwan on $7.7m and $6.5m in the Philippines, where Saturday produced the biggest single day in history.

The Avengers generated $19.7m in Australia for the second biggest first five days (Wednesday to Sunday) and the biggest for a Disney and Marvel release and $12.9m in South Korea for the fifth biggest ‘Western’ debut in history as well as a new high for a Disney and Marvel release.

The film produced $12.7m in France, $10.4m in Italy, $7.3m in Spain, $6.7m in Germany, and $4.6m in Hong Kong. An estimated $520,000 in Vietnam delivered the second biggest opening weekend as well as a new record for a Disney and Marvel film.

There were all-time opening weekends in Argentina on $3.38m, Ecuador on $1.34m, Peru on $2.13m, Central America, Bolivia on $400,000, Hong Kong, Malaysia, New Zealand and The Philippines.

Record opening days came in Taiwan on $1.35m (Wednesday) and New Zealand on $834,000 (Wednesday) as well as in Iceland on $49,000 (Friday) and Malaysia on $1.053m (Friday). India’s $3.7m generated the third biggest ‘Western’ opening weekend of all time and a new high for a Disney and a Marvel release.

• In its third weekend Universal’s action release Battleship brought in a further $22.5m through UPI from 9,604 sites in 50 territories to raise the running total to $170m. In a pair of second weekend holds, Russia retained its top bunk on $3.2m from 810 for $17.2m while China added $8m from 3,000 for $29m. There are national holidays in both markets on Monday and Tuesday.

Battleship continues to be the top English-language film for the third weekend in a row as $1.1m from 342 boosted the tally to $12m. There are 14 territories to go.

American Pie: Reunion grossed $14.5m from 3,426 sites in 41 territories for a $75.2m international running total. The comedy launched in second place Germany behind The Avengers on $6.6m from 634 and opened top in Switzerland on $1.1m from 59. There are 16 territories to go including the UK, France, Italy and Spain this week.

Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax added $2.1m from 2,924 in 52 territories for $87.7m. There were no new openings this weekend.  Spain stands at $8.9m after five weekends and among the 15 territories to go are Italy on Jun 1, France on Jul 18, Germany on Jul 19 and the UK on Jul 27.

Universal distributes the Jason Statham action thriller Safe in Russia through its deal with Cinemax and the film opened well in second place behind Battleship on $2.4m from 578 dates and it is in 2nd place behind Battleship. IM Global handles international sales on Safe.

Marley stands at $800,000 in the UK after two weekends. The Five-Year Engagement kicks off its international run in Australia, New Zealand and Romania next weekend.

• Titanic 3D crossed the $260m mark through Fox International as a further $18.5m from 5,724 screens in 70 markets in the third weekend of release raised the tally to $260.1m. China was the key driver yet again on $12.5m from 2,200 for $126.1m. After four weekends the UK has generated $17.1m and France $11.6m.

Best Exotic Marigold Hotel continued its excellent run as $1.9m from 1,197 in 21 brought the international running total to $69.9m. Speaking on a panel at CinemaCon last week, Fox International co-president Tomas Jegeus said the drama would finish on $75-80m. It has grossed $30.5m in the UK after 10 weekends.

This Means War has grossed $94.1m and We Bought A Zoo stands at $37m.

• Sony Pictures Releasing International reported that Pirates: The Band Of Misfits grossed $5.5m from 4,940 screens in 49 markets to push the running total to $63.6m. The Aardman Animation / Sony collaboration opened in fourth place in Russia on $1.2m from 730 and $400,000 in Holland from 137.

It added $875,000 in the fifth weekend in the UK from 697 for a fine $23.6m. France has generated $6.7m after five, Germany $6.5m after five, Australia $6.4m after four and Mexico $1.2m after two.

21 Jump Street stands at $42.1m and has taken $15.9m in Australia and $15.7m in the UK, both after seven sessions.

• Lionsgate reported that The Hunger Games added a further $7.4m from 3,700 screens in 62 territories through its licensees outside North America, bringing the running total to $228.5m. Cabin In The Woods added $1.5m from 900 screens in 13 territories for $11.4m. The worldwide tally has reached $601m.
• Warner Bros Pictures International (WBPI) reported that Wrath Of The Titans grossed $3.2m from nearly 3,300 screens 62 markets for  $209.1m.

The Lucky One added $4.8m from nearly 1,400 screens in 20 markets for an early for $10m international running total. The romance opened in Germany on $1.4m including previews from 411 and debuted in Italy on Wednesday, grossing $911,000 over five days from 285.

Australia generated $1.2m in the second weekend from 242 for $4.9m. The Lucky One opens in the UK on May 2, Argentina on May 3 and Brazil on May 4.

WBPI is handling The Hunger Games in Spain where the action adventure added $2.5m in the second weekend from 518 for an excellent $7.1m running total.

• Paramount Pictures International reported that DreamWorks Animation’s Puss In Boots stands at $404.7m while Hugo is at $77.8m and The Devil Inside $48.1m.
• Mirror Mirror added $650,388 in the UK though StudioCanal to reach $10.7m. The fantasy drama crossed $10m on Thursday (26).

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