Around-the-World Roundup: 'Smurfs' Snags Eighth Straight Win
The Smurfs extended its chart-topping run to an otherworldly eighth straight weekend on another deadly quiet session on the foreign circuit. Friends with Benefits and Johnny English Reborn once again placed second and third, respectively, and Fast Five raced back on to the charts with a strong debut in Japan.
The Smurfs added an estimated $10.7 million from 67 markets for an outstanding $380.8 million total. It was up 24 percent to $3.5 million in Australia, and dipped 37 percent to $2.15 million in Italy. The movie also had an impressive $960,000 debut in South Africa, which ranks as the 10th-highest opening ever there.
Friends with Benefits grossed $8.5 million in 58 territories this weekend. It had a solid $1.28 million debut in Brazil, and is currently in a three-way race for first place there. Through two months in theaters, the Justin Timberlake-Mila Kunis romantic comedy has earned a very respectable $67.4 million.
Johnny English Reborn earned $8.4 million in 22 countries for an early total of $36.1 million. It took first place in Spain with $2 million and had the best comedy opening of 2011 in Hong Kong with $1.4 million. The Rowan Atkinson spy spoof will make a run for the top spot next weekend when it expands in to 10 more territories including the United Kingdom and Germany.
After wrapping up its run in nearly all of its markets, Fast Five finally reached Japan this weekend. It debuted to $6.6 million, which is over double the opening of Fast and Furious and represents a new high mark for the series. Fast Five has now earned $406.3 million overseas for a huge worldwide (domestic plus foreign) total of $616.1 million.
Crazy, Stupid, Love. had its best overseas weekend yet with an estimated $6.4 million. It's only major opening came in Australia ($2.85 million), and with a $44.5 million total so far the movie is set to launch in Spain next weekend.
The Three Musketeers expanded in to 14 markets this weekend and grossed an estimated $4.9 million. It had a solid $1.4 million start in Spain, and has already earned $20.4 million overseas ahead of its Oct. 21 U.S. opening.
Final Destination 5 earned another $4.2 million from 50 markets for a total of $104.7 million. It's now the second Final Destination movie to pass $100 million overseas, and with a few more openings on the horizon it still has a solid chance of reaching the last movie's $119.7 million.
Domestic disappointment What's Your Number? also opened in 12 overseas markets this weekend to the tune of $2.2 million. It failed to break out in Russia ($748,000), Mexico ($497,000) and the U.K. ($491,000), and doesn't appear poised for a very noteworthy foreign campaign.
Other Notables - Weekend Gross - Gross-to-Date
Rise of the Planet of the Apes - $3.4 - $234.9
The Lion King - $1.8 - $19
Horrible Bosses - $1.7 - $92.1
Fright Night - $1.7 - $18.8
The Change-Up - $1.6 - $17.4
