The global and international box office is currently in a holdover pattern, with existing releases continuing to reach milestones worldwide. However, there have been some noteworthy developments, including an uptick for the film “Anyone But You” overseas and successful drops for other films, including newly-minted Oscar nominees. Additionally, a new local entry from India, “Fighter,” has flown to the top of the global weekend chart. Let’s take a closer look at these developments and more in the global box office.
One of the standout performers in the global box office is India’s “Fighter,” an aviation action film directed by Siddharth Anand and starring Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone. The film is off to an impressive start globally, with an estimated $25.1M opening weekend. It managed to earn $4.3M from North America alone. While precise box office data from India is difficult to ascertain at this stage, sources estimate that “Fighter” has made around 120 crore ($14.4M) domestically, aided by the Republic Day holiday. Additionally, the film generated $1.4M globally from 150 IMAX screens in 15 markets, making it the fourth-biggest start for a local title in India. This exceptional performance is a testament to the film’s appeal and the star power of its lead actors.
Sony’s “Anyone But You” continues to perform well globally, with a 3% increase in international box office revenue during the current session. The film earned $14.2M in 48 markets, bringing its offshore cumulative total to $55.4M and its worldwide gross to $126.6M. Notably, the film had a strong opening in Italy, earning $1.2M and becoming the highest-grossing romcom debut in the market since 2016. It also held the number one spot in Germany for the second consecutive week, with a 17% increase in box office revenue. Furthermore, the film remains the number one film in Australia after five weeks. Its top five markets to date are Australia ($12.3M), the UK ($10.6M), Germany ($5.6M), Mexico ($3.6M), and the Netherlands ($3.1M). The consistent success of “Anyone But You” indicates its widespread appeal and enduring popularity.
Miramax’s “The Beekeeper” achieved a significant milestone by surpassing the $100M mark at the worldwide box office. The film earned $10.9M from 58 overseas markets, bringing its international cumulative total to $61.9M and its global gross to $103.9M. Notably, in like-for-like comparisons (excluding China and Russia), “The Beekeeper” is performing well, running 24% ahead of “Wrath of Man,” 32% above “Plane,” and 30% higher than the first “John Wick” film. The film’s success extends to IMAX, where it has earned $8M worldwide. These achievements highlight the film’s compelling storytelling and audience engagement.
Searchlight’s “Poor Things,” following its 11 Oscar nominations, expanded into several new markets and grossed $10M in 36 total markets. The film’s international cumulative total is now $26.3M, contributing to its global gross of $51.1M. Notably, the film experienced a modest 21% drop in international box office revenue, indicating strong holds in various markets. Notable achievements include a 38% increase in box office revenue in Australia, a 3% increase in Germany, and positive performance in Switzerland, Poland, Austria, Denmark, Belgium, Greece, France, and the UK. Several new launches were also successful, with the film opening at number one in Spain ($900K), Italy ($2.1M), and Japan ($700K including previews). In Mexico, the film’s $1.6M start (including previews) marked the second-largest opening ever for a Searchlight title, second only to “The Shape of Water.” The success of “Poor Things” demonstrates the positive impact of Oscar nominations on a film’s global box office performance.
Other films benefiting from the Oscar nominations halo include Universal/Focus’ “The Holdovers,” which experienced a modest 14% drop in holdover markets. The film’s overseas cumulative total is currently $11.9M in 28 markets, more than double that of “Nebraska” and “Licorice Pizza” at the same stage, and on par with “Lady Bird.” Another notable release is Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer,” which re-released in over 2,700 overseas locations, including over 1,000 IMAX sites. The film has already surpassed “Jurassic World Dominion” to become Universal’s eighth highest-grossing film of all time at the international box office, with a cumulative total of $627.3M. In IMAX, the film has reached an estimated $187M worldwide. These examples demonstrate the positive impact of awards recognition and the enduring appeal of well-crafted films.
While the global box office continues to be in a holdover pattern, there have been notable milestones and successes for existing releases. “Fighter” stands out as a new local entry that has soared to the top of the global weekend chart, while “Anyone But You” maintains its international success. “The Beekeeper” and “Poor Things” have achieved significant milestones and experienced positive box office performance, while Oscar-nominated films like “The Holdovers” and “Oppenheimer” have benefited from the awards season boost. These developments demonstrate the resilience and enduring appeal of quality cinema, both locally and internationally. The global box office remains a space to watch for exciting new releases and potential record-breaking performances.