‘Captain America: Brave New World’ Flies To $192M Global Launch; Overseas Auds Swoon For ‘Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy’; ‘Ne Zha 2’ Tops $1.6B In China – International Box Office Global Box Office witnessed a dynamic weekend as Captain America: Brave New World, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, and Ne Zha 2 dominated screens worldwide. From superhero action to romantic comedy and animated fantasy, audiences flocked to cinemas, resulting in impressive numbers and shifting box office landscapes.
Captain America: Brave New World swung into action with a global launch of $192.4 million, demonstrating the enduring appeal of Marvel’s cinematic universe. The film’s international haul reached $92.4 million from 52 overseas markets, showcasing its widespread popularity beyond North America. While falling slightly short of initial projections, the film secured the top spot in numerous major markets, reaffirming Captain America’s status as a global cinematic force.
Superhero Landing: ‘Brave New World’ Dominates
Anthony Mackie’s debut as Captain America in a full-length feature resonated strongly with audiences, propelling Brave New World to number one in most markets outside North America. The UK was an exception, where Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy stole hearts and claimed the top spot.
- Global Appeal: ‘Brave New World’ outperformed ‘Captain America: The Winter Soldier’ by 4% internationally in comparable markets, excluding China, highlighting its expanded reach.
- Top Markets: China ($10.5 million), the UK ($8.5 million), Mexico ($6.6 million), Korea ($5.6 million), and France ($4.7 million) led the international box office for Captain America.
- IMAX Impact: The IMAX release contributed significantly to the film’s success, grossing $18 million globally, including domestic holiday estimates.
The success of ‘Brave New World’ underscores the enduring power of the Marvel brand and the eagerness of fans to embrace new iterations of beloved characters.
‘Bridget Jones’ Charms International Audiences
Universal/Working Title’s Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy offered a delightful alternative to superhero action, enchanting audiences in theaters internationally. Despite a direct-to-Peacock release in North America, the film resonated with moviegoers worldwide, bringing the beloved romantic comedy heroine back to the big screen.
- Romantic Comedy Triumph: The fourth installment in the Bridget Jones franchise grossed $32.3 million in 70 foreign markets, with a total debut of $35.5 million, including Studiocanal’s release in France.
- Franchise Best: ‘Mad About the Boy’ achieved the biggest launch for a Bridget Jones title in comparable UPI markets, marking the franchise’s highest opening in 41 markets.
- Record-Breaking Performance: At current rates, the film boasts the biggest opening for a romantic comedy ever in comparable UPI markets, surpassing ‘Sex and the City 2.’
- UK Domination: Renée Zellweger’s return in the lead role captivated the UK, with the film grossing an estimated $14.8 million and capturing 45% of the market share. It was the biggest opening ever for a romantic comedy and Working Title film in the region.
- Australian Success: The film achieved $3.4 million in Australia, securing the second spot behind Captain America: Brave New World. It’s the highest opening for a romantic comedy since the pandemic’s onset.
- Polish Power: Poland embraced ‘Bridget 4,’ opening with $2.2 million at number one, surpassing several other popular romantic titles.
- Dutch Delight: ‘Ladies Night’ opened strongly in the Netherlands, earning $1.9 million and marking the best opening weekend for a romantic comedy.
The widespread appeal of ‘Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy’ demonstrates the continued demand for heartwarming and relatable romantic comedies in the international market.
‘Ne Zha 2’ Continues China’s Box Office Reign
In China, ‘Ne Zha 2’ maintained its dominance, amassing 11.84 billion yuan ($1.63 billion) through Sunday. The animated fantasy film solidifies its status as the number one movie in the region and the 11th highest-grossing film worldwide with China-only totals.
- Global Phenomenon: ‘Ne Zha 2’ has already captured the hearts of Chinese audiences, and recently premiered in North America with a respectable $7.2 million.
- Revised Forecast: Maoyan has adjusted its lifetime China forecast to 15.7 billion yuan ($2.16 billion), hinting at an even higher position as the fifth-highest-grossing film of all time worldwide.
- IMAX Record: ‘Ne Zha 2’ now holds the distinction of being the highest-grossing IMAX title in China with $104 million, surpassing ‘Avengers: Endgame.’
‘Ne Zha 2’ has made a historic mark, capturing the hearts and imaginations of audiences and setting new benchmarks for animated features in the international market.
‘Paddington’ Adds to Global Success
Studiocanal’s ‘Paddington,’ which ventured into North America this week, contributed $7.3 million overseas, boosting its international total to $115.8 million, including $21.6 million from Sony markets. The global total stands at $128.8 million through Sunday, with Korea, Italy, Spain, and Japan leading the charge.
‘Paddington”s continued international success highlights the timeless appeal of the beloved bear and the enduring power of family-friendly cinema.
Looking Ahead
As moviegoers continue to flock to cinemas, the international box office landscape remains vibrant and competitive. From superhero spectacles to romantic comedies and animated adventures, diverse genres continue to thrive, offering something for every taste. The success of Captain America: Brave New World, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, Ne Zha 2, and Paddington underscores the power of captivating storytelling and the enduring magic of the moviegoing experience.
With numerous highly anticipated releases on the horizon, the coming weeks promise to deliver even more excitement and surprises at the international box office. Stay tuned for further updates and insights as the global cinematic landscape continues to evolve.
Universal’s upcoming markets for “Mad About the Boy” include Italy and Germany this month, with Japan and Korea scheduled for April releases. These markets hold immense potential for the film to build on its success and further expand its reach.
A Diverse and Dynamic Market
The international box office demonstrates the power and strength of the movie industry. The diverse box office displays the wide variety of movie lovers everywhere. This creates a place for all genres to compete and achieve greatness.
- Success of global marketing strategies.
- Cultural diversity of the film market.
- Great experiences for a diverse audience.
- Continued evolution in storytelling.
- Ever expanding impact of film.
Audiences around the world are continuing to seek new and exciting stories which brings the global box office to new heights, displaying the cultural diversity in tastes and preferences.
As audiences and the film industry continue to look ahead, it is essential to adapt to a constantly changing environment and continue to celebrate the rich fabric of stories and cultures.
Conclusion: The latest international box office figures highlight a dynamic market driven by diverse genres and strong audience engagement. Captain America, Bridget Jones, and Ne Zha 2 each achieved tremendous success. Their success showcases the ability of film to entertain, inspire, and connect people across the world. As the industry continues to evolve, innovation and diversity are essential to meet the changing tastes of global audiences and to drive the market forward.
