International Box Office: Aquaman Tops Competition by $100 million

December 19, 2018

Aquaman

Aquaman expanded worldwide at the weekend, earning $131.3 million on 44,134 screens in 43 markets for a two-week total of $266.4 million on the international market. It debuted in over 40 markets, but China was still the dominant force, as it pulled in $54.24 million on 24,528 screens there over the weekend for a two-week total of $189.30 million. A 42% drop-off is amazing for China, which is know for sharp sophomore declines, and the film is already the fourth-biggest super hero film in that market. On the other hand, the film’s biggest opening came in Mexico, where it earned $6.62 million over the weekend for a total opening of $8.00 million there. This is significantly below the openings of both Wonder Woman and Justice League. Overall, Aquaman beat those films more often then not, sometimes by rather large margins. For example, it earned $7.8 million on 3,110 screens in Russia, which was more than double Wonder Woman’s opening in that market. However, at this point, we can safely say China will contribute a disproportionate share of its international box office.

The Grinch rose to second place with $25.0 million in 61 markets for totals of $135.1 million internationally and $374.6 million worldwide. The film opened in two major markets, but struggled in both of them. It only managed fourth place in China with $2.81 million on 8,481 screens. Meanwhile, it debuted in fifth place in Japan with just $2.25 million in 366 theaters. That said, the film is doing so well domestically that it could break even without considering its international numbers at all.

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse debuted in third place with $20.52 million on 9,744 screens in 60 markets. However, it struggled in most of them. It did earn second place in Australia with $1.88 million on 297 screens, while it managed third place in Russia with $2.32 million on 1,305. Neither of these results are particularly bad, but that are nowhere near as good as its domestic debut. On the other hand, it earned only fourth place in the U.K. with $1.56 million on 720 screens over the weekend for a total opening of $2.94 million. In South Korea, it earned fourth place with $2.94 million on 723 screens over the weekend for a total opening of $2.78 million. It also earned fourth in France with $1.43 million on 539 screens over the weekend for a total opening of $1.55 million. It is doing well enough domestically that its international numbers are not essential for financial success.

Bohemian Rhapsody was next with $20.04 million in 58 markets for totals of $455.51 million internationally and $636.1 million worldwide. The film remains amazing in South Korea with $4.40 million on 1,004 screens for a seven-week total of $61.29 million.

Fifth place went to My Neighbor Totoro, which got a 30th anniversary release in China. It pulled in $12.98 million in that market over the weekend.

Filed under: International Box Office, Tonari no Totoro, Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch, Aquaman, Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse 3D, Bohemian Rhapsody