'Doctor Strange In The Multiverse of Madness'

Source: Marvel Studios

‘Doctor Strange In The Multiverse of Madness’

Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness has raced to an estimated $27.2m after its first day of international release in 20 “material” markets, delivering impressive industry marks to provide further encouragement as the industry looks to emerge from the pandemic.

Disney distribution sources said the second entry in Marvel Studios’ Benedict Cumberbatch-led action adventure was tracking 153% ahead of the 2016 original, 201% ahead of The Batman and only 4% behind Spider-Man: No Way Home on a like-for-like basis.

From Wednesday (May 4) results South Korea is the lead market on $5.9m, followed by Japan on $3.8m, France on $3m, Italy on $2.2m, Germany on $1.8m, Malaysia on $1.6m, Thailand on $1.2m and Philippines on $1.2m.

Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness opened at number one in all its Asia-Pacific markets, scoring the second best industry opening day of all time in Malaysia behind Avengers: Endgame, the second highest opening day for a Walt Disney Company release in South Korea behind Endgame, and the biggest pandemic era debut in Thailand as well as the fourth best launch for any Marvel Cinematic Universal (MCU) release.

Japan produced the second highest non-local opening day of the pandemic era as well as the third best opening day for an MCU release behind Avengers: Endgame and Spider-Man: No Way Home.

Similarly the tentpole opened top in all its European markets, scoring the fourth highest opening day of all time in Netherlands. Sweden and Norway produced the third highest pandemic era opening days.

Overall there were number one pandemic era debuts in Philippines, Singapore and Netherlands, and second highest pandemic era opening days in France, Italy, Germany and Belgium.

The tentpole opened on Thursday (May 5) in the UK, Australia, Brazil and Mexico, Croatia, Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Israel, Portugal, UAE, Indonesia, New Zealand, Argentina and smaller Latin American territories.

Latin America generated $10.3m in previews with the film opening number one everywhere. Preview grosses were not included in the $27.2m number. By territory Mexico accounts for $3.5m and Brazil $2.7m. Australia generated a weekend record $1.9m in previews.

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness will be open in the majority of international markets by Sunday. Significant markets not opening this weekend are China and Russia as well as parts of the Middle East and Ukraine.