UPDATED: Paramount’s Sonic The Hedgehog 3 is off and running overseas, where the threequel officially began rollout on Wednesday after last week’s sizable previews. Through Sunday, and with previews included, the little critter has amassed $74M from 52 offshore markets. That lifts the global tally to $211.5M; recall that Sonic started domestically last session.
Overall, we’re seeing a healthy holiday frame with family fare the big draw, including Disney’s Mufasa: The Lion King (which saw royal holds) and Moana 2 (also holding and closing in on $900M worldwide), as well as Universal’s Wicked which has now become the biggest stage musical adaptation ever globally.
Taking the newest overseas entry first, the Jeff Fowler-directed Sonic 3 raced in with the biggest overseas start of the franchise. On a like-for-like basis, including previews, the $74M launch is is 83% ahead of Sonic the Hedgehog 2.
So far, 84% of the international landscape has gotten a look at the newest adventure which sees Keanu Reeves join the mix. There are 10 markets yet to open — including Korea, Brazil and Italy — which start their rollout next weekend.
The Top 10 debut markets (all including previews) are the UK (No. 1 bow/$15.1M), Mexico (No. 1/$10.3M), France (No. 2/$7.3M), Australia (No. 1/$5.5M), Germany (No. 4/$5.5M), Spain (No. 2/$3.3M), Panama (No. 2/$2.3M — best Paramount opening ever); Peru (No. 2/$1.6M), Colombia (No. 2/$1.3M) and Malaysia (No.1/$1.3M).
Although it came in under projections last weekend, Disney’s Mufasa: The Lion King has proved that, as noted, it was more about holiday play once the week got going. The second international weekend dropped by just 8% (excluding China) while Europe increased 2%, including significant hikes in Poland (+63%), Italy (+51%), Denmark (+47%), Netherlands (+45%), Germany (+19%) and France (+10%). In Australia it was even with the opening session; the UK was down just 5%.
The full sophomore Mufasa frame was $77.1M from 52 markets, raising the international total to $214.5M and global to $328M.
Here are the Top 5 markets to date: France ($20.9M), UK ($15.8M), Mexico ($15.5M), Italy ($14.4M) and Germany ($13.6M).
In Imax, Mufasa’s global cume is $23M.
Also from Disney, Moana 2 has its compass set for $900M in the next days. This weekend added $36.1M from 52 offshore markets for an international running total of $487.9M. Global is estimated at $882.5M through today. It’s still an over/under on $1B, but signs are pointing to the milestone.
Offshore, Moana 2 rode a 3% increase this session, with Europe splashing up by 19% overall. Japan also increased by 13%.
Here’s the Top 5 to date: France ($53.9M), UK ($42.6M), Germany ($34.8M), Mexico ($28.2M) and Brazil ($25.7M).
In local news, Korea has a big new film with local drama Harbin, from director Woo Min-ho, which has grossed $15.5M since its December 24 release. And, India‘s Pushpa 2 through Sunday is estimated at $153M in the home market and $184M worldwide. It is now the 2nd biggest local title ever behind Baahubali 2, and the 3rd biggest globally behind Dangal and B2.
MISC UPDATED CUMES/NOTABLE
Kraven The Hunter (SNY): $3.4M intl weekend (62 markets); $31.2M intl cume/$52.6M global
*Nosferatu (UNI): $3M intl weekend (5 markets); $3M intl cume/$43.3M global
I’m Still Here (SNY): $250K intl weekend (Brazil); $11.1M Brazil cume
*Denotes new