International Top Five: Avatar Hits Century Mark
February 3, 2010
It was another milestone weekend for Avatar as it became the first film to ever reach $2 billion worldwide.
It did so despite falling below $100 million over the weekend for the first time during its run.
That said, it still pulled in an incredible $95.44 million on 11,088 screens in 84 markets for a total of $1.45 billion internationally and $2.05 billion worldwide.
Its biggest market was Italy where it added $10.38 million on 800 screens over the weekend for a total of $52.94 million after three.
Its best market overall remains France where it has $133.9 million, but China is catching up with $126.3 million.
The film also reached the century mark in the U.K. with $103.52 million, including $7.74 million on 424 screens over the weekend and in Germany with $102.03 million including $7.88 million on 599 screens.
It may have already gotten there in Russia, while it is about a week away from that milestone in Japan, Australia, South Korea.
Additionally, it looks like it is just a matter of time for Spain and Italy.
That would be ten markets with $100 million or more, to go with the countless other records the film has already set.
The next major milestone is $1.84 billion internationally, which is what Titanicmade worldwide.
And with its impressive list of Oscar nominations, $2 billion internationally becomes a lot more likely.
And who knows, perhaps even $3 billion worldwide?
We are dealing with unprecedented numbers, so the usual rules about Oscar bounces just don't apply.
Winning could result in a flood at the box office, or its publicity could be at saturation levels already and it won't have a major effect.
Sherlock Holmes has remained in second for what seems like an eternity.
This time around it was down a microscopic 2% to $16.48 million on 4454 screens in 46 markets for a total of $219.92 million internationally and $417.52 million worldwide.
That gives it two major milestones since last week. The film was aided by a second place, $4.68 million opening on 599 screens in Germany, while it debuts in France this weekend and Japan next month. By the time it is done, it could reach $500 million worldwide.
Alvin and the Chipmunks 2: The Squeakquel returned to third place with $10.99 million on 4,503 screens in 59 markets for a total of $190.59 million internationally and $399.88 million worldwide.
We can confidently say it reached $400 million worldwide on Monday.
The film debuted in third place in Italy with $2.57 million on 333 screens, which is weaker than its domestic performance, but more or less on par with its international run.
Up in the Air also climbed a spot, hitting fourth place with $9.99 million on 2,288 screens in 37 markets for a total of $34.49 million after three weeks in release.
The film had to settle for fifth place on debut in France, but it was a crowded marketplace and it did earn $3.44 million on 312 screens there.
It was down just 24% during its second weekend in Italy where it added $1.48 million on 330 screens over the weekend for a total of $4.15 million after two.
The Princess and the Frog returned to the top five for the first time in about a month with $9.94 million on 2,693 screens in 28 markets for a total of $78.74 million internationally.
In France, it debuted in top spot with $6.94 million on 667 screens, which is better than its performance here.
Up next is the U.K. and Spain this weekend, and even if it struggles there, the film should have no trouble matching its domestic total soon.
Filed under: International Box Office, Up in the Air, Avatar, The Princess and the Frog, Sherlock Holmes, Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel