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Global box office showdown: Animated hits and spooky sequels dominate
Animated adventures and supernatural sequels lead the charge
In a thrilling weekend for the global box office, Warner Bros. and Tim Burton’s sequel, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, alongside Paramount’s animated feature, Transformers One, have surged ahead of Universal and DreamWorks Animation’s The Wild Robot.
Transformers One: A powerful performance
Among the Hollywood heavyweights, Transformers One led the international box office, raking in $16.6 million from 61 territories. This marks a 44% decline from the previous weekend, yet it remains a formidable contender. The film, an animated origin story featuring the voices of Chris Hemsworth, Brian Tyree Henry, and Scarlett Johansson, has amassed $32.8 million overseas and $72 million globally.
This weekend saw the film debut in China with an impressive $8 million, Korea with $1.4 million, and Brazil with $660,000. With upcoming releases in major markets like Germany, the U.K., and France, Transformers One is poised for continued success.
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice: The spooky sequel’s strong showing
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, which opened earlier in September, added a robust $13.6 million from 77 markets over the weekend. The sequel to the 1988 classic has garnered $123.2 million internationally to date. In North America, it has been a box office juggernaut, earning $250 million and pushing its global total to $373.3 million.
The film has seen its largest international audiences in the United Kingdom ($27.6 million), Mexico ($17.1 million), and France ($11.3 million). The enduring appeal of Tim Burton’s unique vision and the nostalgic pull of the original film have undoubtedly contributed to its success.
The Wild Robot: A steady climb
The Wild Robot, directed by Chris Sanders, continues its international rollout with a more staggered approach. This weekend, it brought in $9.86 million from 29 markets, adding to its $18.1 million overseas total. The animated sci-fi story, which topped the North American box office with $35 million, has now reached a worldwide tally of $53 million.
The film opened strongly in Mexico with $3.7 million and maintained a solid performance in Australia, earning $1.5 million over the weekend and $4.5 million to date. However, in China, ticket sales saw a significant drop of 74%, bringing in $821,000 over the weekend and $5 million in total.
Audience reception and future prospects
The Wild Robot has received enthusiastic reviews and audience scores, suggesting it may enjoy the same staying power as other post-pandemic animated family films like Pixar’s Elemental and Illumination’s Migration. Voiced by Lupita Nyong’o, the film’s protagonist, an isolated android named ROZZUM unit 7134 (Roz), forms a heartwarming bond with an orphaned gosling, resonating with audiences worldwide.
Industry insights and trends
The success of these films highlights several key trends in the industry. Animated features continue to draw significant international audiences, particularly when they offer fresh takes on beloved franchises or introduce compelling new stories. Meanwhile, sequels to classic films, especially those with a strong nostalgic element, can achieve substantial box office returns both domestically and internationally.
The performance of Transformers One and Beetlejuice Beetlejuice underscores the importance of strategic international releases and the growing influence of markets like China and Mexico. As these films continue to roll out in additional territories, their global impact will likely expand further.
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