Slavery saga “12 Years a Slave” opened at No. in the United Kingdom this weekend, in the Oscar frontrunner’s first major overseas test.
“12 Years a Slave” took in $4.2 million from 208 screens, an encouraging number for Liongate, which is distrubuting in nearly every foreign territory. It’s currently playing in 16 international markets and has taken in $5 million, with most of its significant openings yet to come.
Elsewhere, “Despicable Me 2” opened No. 1 in China with $13.8 million and “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug” crossed the $800 million mark at the global box office.
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The R-rated “12 Years a Slave” is directed by Steve McQueen stars Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender and Brad Pitt.