International Box Office: Wolves Feasts on the Competition with $164 million
August 10, 2017
Wolf Warriors 2 remained in top spot on the international chart with $164 million at the weekend. This is dominated by a sophomore stint of $163.38 million in its native China for a two-week total of $471.94 million. It is already the biggest hit in China, crushing The Mermaid, at least in terms of local currency. It still has a ways to go to become the number one film in terms of the US dollar, but it should get there shortly.
Once Upon a Time opened in second place, both in China and on the international chart, with $38.51 million during the weekend for a total opening of $63.77 million.
War for the Planet of the Apes returned to the chart in third place with $31.5 million in 73 markets for totals of $147.8 million internationally and $278.2 million worldwide. The film opened in a trio of major markets and earned first place in France ($7.3 million on 757 screens); Brazil ($4.3 million); and Germany ($3.1 million). The film has yet to open in South Korea, where it debuts on August 15th.
Dunkirk was next with $25.0 million in 63 markets for totals of $180.6 million internationally and $313.7 million worldwide. The film had no major market openings, so its fall of two spots down the chart isn’t a terrible result. The film’s biggest market is the U.K., where it added $6.01 million in 690 theaters over the weekend to its running tally, which now sits at $49.65 million. This is Christopher Nolan’s best non-Batman movie in that market.
There were two films that could claim fifth place. Despicable Me 3 earned $22.6 million on 11,321 screens in 65 markets for totals of $640.71 million internationally and $881.63 million worldwide. The film had no major market openings this past weekend. In fact, its last major market opening is in Italy at the end of the month. The franchise has now become the biggest animated franchise in the world, overtaking Shrek. Furthermore, Despicable Me 3’s international numbers justify at least one more installment is the core franchise, while there will be a Minions 2, possible a Minions 3 and a Minions 4.
The other film that could have a claim for fifth place is A Taxi Driver, which opened in first place in South Korea with $21.18 million on 1,906 screens over the weekend for a total opening of $30.40 million. This is the second weekend in a row featuring a South Korean film, after last week’s impressive debut of Battleship Island.
Filed under: International Box Office, War for the Planet of the Apes, Despicable Me 3, Dunkirk, Once Upon a Time, Taeksi Woonjunsa, Wolf Warrior 2 (战狼2), Gunhamdo, Shrek, Despicable Me, Dark Knight Trilogy, Christopher Nolan