Universal/DreamWorks Animation’s Kung Fu Panda 4 continues to impress at the international box office, with a strong showing of $55.3M from 69 markets. The film has accumulated a total of $135M overseas and $268.2M globally, with key markets like France, Australia, the UK, and Korea still to release the movie. China led the frame for KFP4 with an impressive $25.7M, showcasing the franchise’s historical success in this particular market. Alongside Warner Bros/Legendary’s Dune: Part Two, which also performed well in China with a running total of $43.9M, the success of these films indicates a positive sign for the Chinese market, which has been focusing more on local productions in recent years.
Sony’s Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire made its debut over the weekend, generating $16.4M from its initial 25 international markets, tracking 15% ahead of Ghostbusters: Afterlife at the current rate. The global debut of the film stands at $61.6M, with the UK leading as the top opener with $5.3M. Other markets like Mexico, Australia, Germany, and Spain also showed strong numbers, emphasizing the domestic-driven nature of the Ghostbusters franchise, with a significant portion of the global earnings coming from North America.
Kung Fu Panda 4 expanded to 13 additional markets over the weekend, including China, Brazil, and Netherlands. The film has been well-received, particularly in evening shows, indicating a strong presence of both adult and child audiences. In China, the movie delivered a rare clear No. 1 position for a Hollywood film, with robust numbers following previews. Italy also showcased a dominant market share with $4.4M, marking the biggest opening of the year. Other markets like Brazil, Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, Israel, and Hungary also saw significant success, further solidifying the film’s global appeal.
Dune: Part Two has continued its success overseas, surpassing its predecessor with a total of $341M from 73 markets. The international weekend earnings amounted to $30.7M, showing a slight dip but still maintaining a strong performance. The sequel is on track to reach $650M globally, with key markets like China, the UK, France, Germany, and Australia leading the way. In IMAX format, Dune: Part Two has become the 8th highest-grossing title, further highlighting the film’s appeal to audiences seeking a premium viewing experience.
Sony Pictures International Productions saw success with the release of Chinese sensation YOLO in Malaysia, grossing $1.6M and becoming the second-highest opening for a Chinese movie in the market. The film has already surpassed the lifetime totals of other Chinese hits like Hi, Mom and Lost in the Stars. Overall, YOLO took in $2.3M from six Sony Pictures Releasing International-distributed markets, including North America, resulting in a total gross of $4.5M.
Both Kung Fu Panda 4 and Dune: Part Two have demonstrated strong performances at the international box office, with each film appealing to different audiences and showcasing the diversity of the global film market. Sony’s Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire also made a solid debut, indicating the continued popularity of the Ghostbusters franchise. As the box office landscape continues to evolve, these films serve as a reminder of the enduring appeal of well-crafted storytelling and engaging characters in capturing the hearts of audiences worldwide.