The international box office landscape witnessed a rather muted weekend, largely dominated by the aftermath of the bustling Lunar New Year celebrations in China. While several titles continued to draw audience interest, the overall atmosphere seemed to lack the electric energy that often accompanies blockbuster releases. The focus shifted slightly to a few key highlights, as well as some surprises that emerged from the shadows of previous box office successes.
Record-Breaking Performances
In a notable turn of events, Disney’s “Moana 2” has etched its name in the annals of animated cinema. As the film gears up for the conclusion of its theatrical journey, it recently eclipsed major competitors such as “Finding Dory” and “Despicable Me 3” to seize the rank of the ninth highest-grossing animated feature globally with a staggering total of $1.037 billion. This achievement is particularly impressive, considering the crowded market of animated films.
Adding further to Disney’s triumphs, “Mufasa: The Lion King” continues to thrive post-release, crossing the $650 million mark worldwide, with $653 million in total earnings. During its seventh weekend, the adaptation managed to secure an additional $11.7 million from international screens, experiencing a modest dip of 29% from its previous results. The film has performed especially well in France, the UK, and Germany, showing a persistent appeal in those territories.
One of the standout newcomers this weekend was Studiocanal’s “Paddington,” which is carving out a niche for itself prior to its North American debut on Valentine’s Day. Boasting an impressive $8.7 million from 51 international markets—including significant contributions from Sony—”Paddington” has amassed a considerable $93.2 million overseas. The film’s pending release in North America is highly anticipated, and industry insiders expect it to resonate just as profoundly with American audiences.
In the realm of sequels, “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” has also carved out an impressive box office trajectory. The beloved character’s latest adventure has crossed the $450 million threshold globally, now sitting at $462.5 million, after an additional $7 million influx from overseas markets. The film’s performance remains especially robust in countries like the UK and Mexico, illustrating the enduring international popularity of the franchise.
Among the new entries, New Line/Warner Bros’ horror film “Companion” debuted across 60 international markets with a total of $5.5 million, marking a global opening of $15 million. Despite its initial showing being competitive, “Companion” has yet to make a significant impact in many major markets, indicating an uphill battle in garnering audience attention against established titles.
Meanwhile, Universal/DreamWorks Animation’s “Dog Man” continues its staggered release, extending its reach to an additional 29 markets this weekend. With a cumulative international total of $40.6 million after adding $4.2 million this frame, “Dog Man” is inching toward broader recognition. The film notably performed well in Spain, which emerged as its strongest market this weekend.
As we reflect on this weekend’s international box office results, it becomes clear that while the pace may have relaxed slightly, many films are still making significant strides in the market. Disney continues to lead the pack with record-breaking performances from its animated offerings, demonstrating the studio’s prowess in appealing to family audiences worldwide.
With impending releases slated for the upcoming weeks, including the highly anticipated entries in major markets like the UK and Brazil, the competitive landscape is set to heat up. Observers will be keenly watching to see whether newer titles can tap into the momentum of returning fan favorites or if they’ll be overshadowed by the steady presence of blockbuster sequels and franchises. The next few weekends may reveal a great deal about audience preferences and trends, setting the stage for the larger film slate of 2024.