Japanese auds turned out in force for “A Beautiful Mind” and horror fans in Britain got their kicks from “Blade II” last weekend while the “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” 20th anni reissue generally elicited the same kind of muted responses abroad as it did at home — or worse.
Meanwhile, “Ice Age” continued its mammoth run, capturing an estimated $15.8 million from 3,554 prints in 30 countries, hoisting foreign cume to $56.1 million. Figures in some markets either were unavailable or estimates due to the Easter Monday holiday.
In Japan, its last major market, “Beautiful Mind” drummed up roughly $2 million in two days on 250 screens, outrunning the bows of “American Beauty” and “Shakespeare in Love.” The four Oscars for the Ron Howard-helmed drama gave the pic sizable boosts in its fifth frame in Germany (up 38%, mustering approximately $8 million thus far), its sixth in Spain (jumping by 66% to $7.5 million); and its fourth in Oz (gaining 17% to $7.3 million). Estimated cume climbed to $82 million.
Popular on Variety
“Monsters, Inc.” reigned in Japan, whistling up $3.8 million in its fifth adventure, bringing the market total to $42.4 million. Overseas tally spurted to $215.6 million after the pic earned $9.6 million over the weekend.
“The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring” snared $3.6 million in its fifth orbit in Japan, amassing $42.3 million to date as cume topped $511 million.
‘Blade II’ bites into Blighty
In its offshore debut, Wesley Snipes starrer “Blade” top-scored in Blighty with $3.6 million on 355; the U.K. was the second most lucrative market for pic’s predecessor, earning $10.3 million.
The revamped “E.T.” resonated most effectively in Latin America, conjuring up $1.3 million on 309 in Mexico, $280,000 on 50 in Argentina and $200,000 on 95 in Brazil. But European auds seemed apathetic, typified by Spain’s tepid $820,000 on 267, the U.K.’s soft $670,000 on 315, Germany’s $500,000 on 650 and Italy’s estimated $170,000 in two days on 200. The grim German result was no surprise to one local exhib, who last week predicted a short run: “It was popular 20 years ago, but I doubt that it will attract today’s kids.”
Even worse, the reissue landed Down Under as a distant No. 12, managing just $170,000 on 174.
‘Ice’ storm
There’s no doubt the young brigade is favoring the fresh experience of “Ice Age” over the warmed-over “E.T.,” as Fox’s toon retained pole position in a bunch of markets including Germany (unearthing $15.3 million in 11 days), Mexico ($13 million in 17 days), Australia ($3.1 million in 11 days) and Brazil ($2.1 million in 10 days). The U.K. has delivered $8.8 million through its soph session. In South Africa, “Ice” minted $248,000 on 71, including sneaks, the market’s third-biggest bow of all time behind only “Rings” and “Mission: Impossible 2.”
Beginning its overseas campaign in Oz, the Robert De Niro/Eddie Murphy caper “Showtime” reeled in a fair $812,000 on 196. “Black Hawk Down” choppered into Japan with an OK $1.5 million on 266, elevating its estimated cume to $45 million, with Germany the only major market on the horizon.
“Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” advanced to $637.7 million, fueled by Russia’s socko $3.6 million through its second weekend. In Japan, “Harry” ascended to $161.7 million, making it the third film in history to surpass 20 billion yen, joining local toons “Spirited Away” and “Princess Mononoke.”
‘Time’ watched in Asia
“The Time Machine” opened at No. 1 in Hong Kong, making $345,000 on 28, beating fellow frosh “Wesley’s Mysterious File” (local title), “We Were Soldiers” and the “E.T.” reissue. The Guy Pearce starrer also ruled in South Korea (pocketing $343,000 from 34 screens in Seoul) and Taiwan ($483,000 on 175). Warner Bros., which has international rights, was expecting the time-travel tale to rank second in Greece with $185,000 on 31 and in Belgium at $264,000 on 56. By WB’s reckoning, “Machine” was still the market leader in Spain, fetching $3.4 million in 10 days.
