The international box office continues to flex its muscles as new releases vie for attention alongside seasoned champs. Warner Bros. has initiated its promotional push for the upcoming holiday flick, *Red One*, produced by Amazon MGM Studios. The film, indicative of the seasonal cheer and festivities, garnered approximately $26.6 million from 75 international markets during its initial rollout. While this performance aligns with projections, it brings into focus the competitive terrain of holiday-themed films and their varying reception across different regions.
In Latin America, *Red One* managed to secure the second position, trailing behind the third weekend performance of *Venom: The Last Dance*. Despite the competition, the film outshone previous holiday releases like *Central Intelligence*, demonstrating a potential for success within the region. Meanwhile, its European performance seems promising as well, with the film appearing to surpass *Central Intelligence* and *Skyscraper* according to current exchange rates. However, Asia presents a more complex scenario. Historically, Christmas-themed films have struggled in this region, and while *Red One* has amassed positive reviews in certain markets (excluding China and Japan), expectations of a standout performance might be unwarranted.
The UK has given *Red One* a respectable start, placing it second against various comparatives. Similarly, family interest propelled its position in Mexico, where it also debuted at number two. Spain, on the other hand, displayed a healthier appetite, allowing *Red One* to debut at the top. Despite these successes, it is evident that the universal appeal of Christmas-themed movies remains tenuous, with varying degrees of enthusiasm across the globe.
Ongoing Dominance of Franchise Films
Contrastingly, *Venom: The Last Dance* continues to thrive significantly, unfazed by the emerging competition. This Marvel title has pulled in $279.4 million in international markets and a staggering total of $394.2 million globally, making it a resilient contender as it nears the $400 million milestone. The film’s third weekend saw a collection of $33 million from 66 markets, representing a 51% decline compared to its preceding frame. Nevertheless, it remains a heavyweight in China, where it has become the top market with earnings surpassing $82.8 million, with projections hinting at a potential closure near $93 million.
Analyzing its remaining top markets, Mexico stands solid with $17.2 million, while the UK and Germany follow with $14.3 million and $11.5 million, respectively. In tandem, IMAX screenings contributed significantly, accumulating a global total of $29.6 million.
Another noteworthy performer this week is *The Wild Robot* from Universal/DreamWorks Animation, which added an impressive $9 million from 80 markets, raising its international total to $161.6 million and the global cume to $292 million. This marks a significant achievement as it has eclipsed the performance of *Encanto* overseas. The film’s strength can be attributed to substantial performances in regions like Mexico ($19.1 million) and the UK ($16.5 million), alongside promotional opportunities during local festivities in Spain.
While holiday films like *Red One* initially demonstrate promise, their international reception highlights the complexities of audience preferences worldwide. Conversely, established franchises continue to dominate, showcasing that familiarity often breeds box office success. As the holiday season progresses, monitoring these trends will be crucial for industry stakeholders.
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