International Box Office: Hobbit Hits Half a Billion
January 9, 2014
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug began 2014 the same way it ended 2013, on top. This weekend it pulled in $58 million in 62 markets for totals of $527 million internationally and $756 million worldwide. The film had no major market openings this past weekend, but did remain in fourth place in Russia with $9.6 million on 1,378 screens for a total of $42 million after three weeks of release. It was able to remain in top spot in Germany for the fourth weekend in a row with $8.6 million on 1,40 screens for a total of $75.1 million there. Granted, the film won't match An Unexpected Journey's debut, but it will end its run with well over $800 million worldwide, possibly even $900 million worldwide. There's no way to look at that figure and not call the movie a smashing success.
Frozen was close behind with $52.0 million in 49 markets for totals of $342.1 million internationally and $638.8 million worldwide. The film opened in several Latin American markets, led by Brazil, where it made $4.2 million over the weekend for a total opening of $5.9 million. This is the biggest opening for a Disney animated film in that market. At this pace, the film should top $750 million worldwide. There are not that many animated films that can make that claim.
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty remained in third place with $31.5 million on 7,000 screens in 56 markets for a two-week total of $68.8 million. The film's biggest opening this week came in Russia where it earned $4.8 million on 1,100 screens. It also did well in South Korea ($3.4 million on 371 screens); in France ($3.3 million on 456); and in Germany ($3.3 million on 576).
47 Ronin had an explosive debut in Russia with $13.1 million on 886 screens. It also opened in neighboring Ukraine with $1.3 million on 109 screens. The helped the movie pull in $20.5 million on 3,304 screens in 34 markets for a total of $51.3 million so far. Unfortunately, the film cost $225 million to make, so a strong opening in Russia won't be enough to recover at this point.
Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones debuted in fifth place with $16.1 million in 24 markets. This includes a number of major markets, but in most of them, the film struggled. Its best market was Mexico, where it earned second place, but with just $1.97 million on 1,054 screens. It earned more money, but placed a lot lower in the chart in a number of many other markets. This includes U.K. where it earned fifth place with $2.61 million on 335 screens. It earned sixth place in both France ($2.87 million on 238 screens) and in Germany ($2.66 million on 283).
Walking with Dinosaurs rose a spot to sixth place with $11.3 million in 49 markets for an international total for $52.6 million. The film debuted in fifth place in Australia with $1.37 million on 381 screens over the weekend for a total opening of $1.84 million.
The Attorney earned seventh place with $10.8 million over the weekend for a three-week total of $54.0 million. Not sure how many markets it is playing in, but likely the vast majority of its run was made in China.
The Physician, a.k.a., Der Medicus, rose to eighth place with $10.5 million over the weekend for a total of $28.5 million after two weeks of release. This includes its native Germany where it placed second during its second weekend of release with $7.71 million on 681 screens for a two-week total of $21.23 million. It is also playing in Spain and managed third place with $1.17 million on 271 screens over the weekend giving it a total to $4.54 million after just two weeks of release.
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire climbed a spot to ninth place with $9.1 million in 80 markets for totals of $423.4 million internationally and $830.5 million worldwide. Worldwide, the film has made almost $150 million more than its predecessor did.
The 4G Theory rounded out the top ten with $8 million over the weekend for a total of $23 million after two. It is playing in Russia, its native market, but there's a major holiday in that market and no details were given out.
Filed under: International Box Office, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, 47 Ronin, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, Frozen, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, Walking with Dinosaurs, Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones