Avatar adds $153m as Fox Int'l sets BO industry record

James Cameron’s sci-fi powerhouse played on 14,686 screens in 108 markets. Combined with the $212.7m North American take, Avatar has amassed $625.9m worldwide.

International business was driven by impressive holds and Fox’s highest non-franchise launch in Japan on $14.5m (¥1.3bn) from 749 screens, which was also Fox’s fourth highest launch behind the Star Warsfranchise. The 283 3D screen count comprised 38% of the entire count and accounted for 75% of box office.

In second weekend holdovers, Avatar grossed a further $21.8m from 1,114 in France for $51.7m, $13.6m from 1,329 in Russia for $44.2m, $12.8m from 1,138 in Germany for $34.2m, $12.5m from 800 in Spain for $28.8m, and $6.5m from 735 in South Korea for $23.4m. It is Fox’s highest and the industry’s fourth highest Hollywood release in South Korea after ten days.

The film added $6.1m from 496 in the UK for $28.4m and $5.6m from 1,478 in Mexico for $15.1m and is now the second highest industry release of 2009 behind Ice Age 3.

Elsewhere Avatar added $5.3m from 654 in Brazil after a 5% climb to stand at $13.9m following the highest second weekend in industry history, and added $2.8m from 71 in Hong Kong following a 44% rise to stand at $6.9m. It is the third highest Fox release ever and the seventh highest industry release after 11 days.

Latest figures put Taiwan at $7.8m, Holland at $6m, India at $10.7m, Sweden at $5.3m, Switzerland at $4.4m, and Singapore at $4.2m, where Avatar is the second highest Fox release ever behind Titanic on SGD 5.3m.

• In other records, Avatar overtook Titanic in Malaysia to become the highest Fox release in history on $3.5m, and overtookIce Age 3 in Indonesia to become Fox’s biggest release ever on $2.9m..

The film grossed $3.367m on IMAX screens in a new IMAX record. So far Avatar has amassed $11.3m internationally and should overtake the $15m record within two or three days. The global IMAX take for Avatarstands at $35m.

• In terms of company grosses for the year-to-date, Fox International led the way in a strong year for several other studios. Sony Pictures Releasing International (SPRI) films grossed more than $2.12bn led by 2012 on $583.7m, while Warner Bros Pictures International (WBPI) had reached $1.85bn as of December 27.

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures International (WDSMPI) stood at $1.7bn, PPI reached $1.3bn led by Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen on $433.2m, and UPI reached $1.2bn led by Fast & Furious on $207.8m. Summit International reported more than $877.2m, with New Moon, Red Cliff Part 2, Twilight and Knowing all rossing $100m.

• Returning to the weekend’s action, Fox International also released Alvin And The Chipmunks 2 on 5,492 screens in 42 markets for $36.5m. The film ranked second in at least 20 markets behind Avatar, sources said.

Highlights included $8.7m from 487 including previews in the UK, $3.2m from 354 in Spain, $3.1m from 519 in France, $3.1m from 363 in Australia, $2.8m in Mexico, $2.4m from 626 in Germany, $2.2m from 119 including previews in Holland, $1.1m from 574 in Russia, and $928,000 from 33 in Singapore.

• Sherlock Holmes brought in an estimated $26m according to WBPI after launching day-and-date with North America in 17 markets on 2,454 screens.

The action release took $6m in Italy from 451 screens, $5m in the UK from 650 prints, $4.8m in South Korea from 317 screens and $3.2m in Australia from 308 screens. The December 26 UK opening day registered the industry’s fifth highest Boxing Day release. Sherlock Holmesopens in Russia on December 31 and Mexico on January 1.

• The Princess And The Frog maintained its decent early pace for WDSMPI as $7m from 2,500 sites in 17 territories raised the tally to $27m. A Christmas Carol added $5m from 3,800 in 44 for $170m and Old Dogs added $3.5m from 1,500 in 18 for $20m.

Summit International’s New Moon grossed a further $5.8m from approximately 4,233 sites in 67 territories, raising the running total to $389.3m.

• UPI launched It’s Complicated in 11 territories and reported $5.4m from 1,028 sites. Couples Retreat added $1.6m from 700 in 33 for $50.1m. Public Enemies added $500,000 from 324 sites in Japan for $5.8m after 16 days and the international tally stands at $114.5m. Inglourious Basterds is still playing in several territories and the tally has reached $198.3m. Ecuador will be the final release on January 1.
  
  
• SPRI reported a $5.1m weekend for 2012on 4,300 screens in 75 markets, elevating the running total to $583.7m. Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs added $3.8m from 1,085 in 26 for $79.4m, Did You Hear About The Morgans opened in Australia on $1.1m from 208 screens, and Zombielandadded $1.9m from 520 in 31 for $21.5m.
  
  
• PPP opened Peter Jackson’s The Lovely Bones in Australia and New Zealand on December 26 and reported a $730,000 combined gross from 93 locations. Celda 221 added $923,000 in Spain from 196 sites for $12.7m over eight weeks. Law Abiding Citizen in the UK added $100,000 for $9.1m.