‘Dark Knight Rises,’ ‘Ted’ Make Waves at Overseas Box Office

Universal's R-rated comedy "Ted" opens No. 1 in seven markets including the U.K. while "Dark Knight Rises" adds $67M and is outpacing 'Dark Knight" at foreign box office

"The Dark Knight Rises" led the foreign box office with $67 million from 58 markets, but a trash-talking teddy bear made some waves, too.

Universal and Seth MacFarlane’s "Ted" was No. 1 in seven overseas markets and rolled up $32 million in the process. Universal expanded it into 10 new regions this weekend and came out on top in the U.K., Ireland, Austria, Germany, Russia, Switzerland and Ukraine.

Also read: 'Dark Knight Rises' Steamrolls 'Total Recall' for Box-Office Three-Peat

"The Dark Knight Rises" has now taken in $378.4 million overseas, and is pacing 49 percent ahead "Dark Knight Rises" at the same stage in its release. Using the exchange rate in effect in 2008 when "The Dark Knight" was in release, it's 31 percent ahead.

The $14.3 million U.K. bow for the R-rated comedy "Ted" was Universal’s third-best ever there, behind “Bridget Jones 2” and “King Kong.” The movie’s $5.5 million opening weekend in Russia was the best ever for a Hollywood comedy in that country.

Also read: How 'Ted' Became Summer's Surprise Box-Office Superhero

That ups its overall foreign gross to $77.3 million with 38 territories to open over the next few months. “Ted” will open in Bulgaria, Finland, Israel, Norway and Spain next week.

Fox had a strong weekend abroad. too.

“Ice Age: Continental Drift” continued its impressive roll, adding $32.8 million from 13,678 screens in 62 markets. That ups its overall overseas gross to $530 million, and its worldwide total to $662 million.

Also read: Average Movie Ticket Prices Climb to Record $8.12 in Q2

The film posted outstanding holds in China, where it made $11.1 million, down just 11 percent; and South Korea, where it took in $2.5 million, just a 6 percent drop.

“Prometheus” bowed No. 1 in Spain with $4.4 million from 782 screens. The film’s foreign gross now stands at $185 million with Germany, Japan, China, and Italy releases upcoming. 

”Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days” brought in $2.8 million from 693 screens in five markets.  The most impressive result came from the U.K., where “Dog Days” opens 57% bigger than the second “Wimpy Kid” movie, “Rodrick Rules.”

“Stefan vs. Kramer,” the first local title distributed by Fox Chile, broke the industry record for biggest opening weekend with $2.2 million from 109 screens in the market.  

 

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