“300: Rise of an Empire” conquered the overseas box office, plundering 58 foreign markets for nearly $88 million over the weekend.
With its $45 million No. 1 debut in the U.S., Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures’ sword-and-sandals sequel had an impressive $133 million first weekend worldwide.
Zack Snyder, who directed the first film, wrote and produced “Empire.” Starring Sullivan Stapleton and Eva Green and directed by Noam Murro, the film focuses on a fierce sea battle between the Greeks and invading Persians.
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The original 2007 film was a hit abroad, with $245 million of its $456 million worldwide total coming from overseas. “Rise of an Empire” was running 10 percent ahead of the total for “300” after its first weekend, Warner Bros. said Sunday.
The biggest territory for the R-rated “Rise of an Empire” was Russia, where it accounted for $9.2 million on its way to No. 1. It also finished in the top spot in France ($7.2 million), Korea ($6.5 million), Brazil ($5.8 million) and Mexico ($5.5 million).
As in the U.S. And Canada, the “Rise of an Empire” grosses were lifted by 3D and Imax upcharges. Imax screens delivered $5.2 million — a March record for an R-rated movie.
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Meanwhile, the studio’s “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug” continued to do major business in China, where it has now taken in more than $67 million. That’s more than the $50.7 million that the first “Hobbit” film earned during its entire run in China. “Smaug” is up to $680 million from overseas and $937 million globally.
“Mr. Peabody & Sherman,” which was the runner-up to “300: Rise of an Empire” in North America, was also No. 2 overall overseas. The Fox-distributed DreamWorks Animation family film took in $21 million from 53 foreign markets. It debuted abroad ahead of its U.S. Opening and now has international total of $66 million and is at $98.6 million worldwide.
MGM and Sony’s “Robocop” took in $10 million in its second weekend at No. 1 in China, raising its total to $40 million, which is approaching its $54 million haul in U.S. The redo of the 1987 Paul Verhoeven sci-fi classic is up to $165 million from overseas, $220 million worldwide.