FOX GLIDES PAST THE 1 BILLION USD MARK IN OVERSEAS GROSSES
By SAMPURNThursday, July 23, 2009
Los Angeles, CA: After freezing out the competition with ICE AGE 3, Twentieth Century Fox International celebrated today yet another triumph: it is the first distributor to reach the USD 1 billion mark in box office receipts this year. A series of consecutive theatrical successes, including three blockbuster titles, each of which surpassed the USD 100 million level, contributed to this milestone.
Just this past weekend, ICE AGE 3’s mammoth overseas debut of USD 151.7 million melted several industry records. The film was the highest grossing animated opening ever and the sixth highest grossing opening weekend of all time internationally, shattering industry records in many local markets as well. It was also the highest grossing 3D film ever overseas. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM 2’s stellar box office gross also exhibited Fox’s earning power this year. The Ben Stiller starrer has collected superb USD 207.2 million cume-to-dates at the overseas box office, with the lucrative Japan market still to come.
Fox International’s sizzling summer began with X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE, which clawed its way to the No. 1 spot in 66 territories in its first weekend and remained in the top spot in 34 markets after its second weekend. So far, the mighty mutants have minted a muscular USD 184.7 million abroad, again with Japan yet to release.
Other films which added to Fox’s overseas success this year were MGM’s VALKYRIE (USD 90 million in Fox territories only, USD 115.7 million total), BRIDE WARS (USD 56.3 million) and DRAGONBALL: EVOLUTION (USD 48.3 million). Even films which opened last year continued to earn for Fox in 2009: MARLEY & ME dug up a meaty USD 98.1 million this year alone for a total cume-to-date of USD 100.3 million. Baz Luhrmann’s AUSTRALIA, which opened on Christmas Day in many parts of the world, roped in a roaring USD 99 million in 2009 to reach an overall cume of USD 158.3 million. Another highlight for Fox was the sensational box office success in Brazil of SE EU FOSSE VOCE 2 (USD 21.7 million), the second highest grossing film of all time in that territory (behind Fox’s own Titanic.)
Fox International co-president Tomas Jegeus commented, “This sensational achievement is a tribute not only to Fox’s outstanding product but also to the efforts and creativity of our international team, both in Los Angeles and overseas.” Co-president Paul Hanneman added, “We are looking forward to continued success in 2009, from the sequel to the hit film ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS to James Cameron’s highly anticipated AVATAR. This promises to be a banner year for Fox International.”
Twentieth Century Fox International is a unit of Fox Filmed Entertainment, a segment of Fox Entertainment Group.
