Universal/DreamWorks Animation’s Kung Fu Panda 4 had a strong opening weekend at the international box office, grossing $55.3 million from 69 markets for an overseas total of $135 million and global total of $268.2 million. Several major markets like France, Australia, the UK and Korea have yet to open.
The fourquel was led by China where it earned $25.7 million including the previous weekend’s previews. The Kung Fu Panda franchise has historically done well in China, which along with the continued success of Warner Bros/Legendary’s Dune: Part Two ($43.9 million in China so far) is encouraging news for a market that has become more domestically focused lately.
Sony’s Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, directed by Gil Kenan, also opened this weekend, grossing $16.4 million in its first 25 international markets. It is tracking 15% ahead of Ghostbusters: Afterlife at current exchange rates. The UK was the top opener with $5.3 million, followed by Mexico ($2.7M), Australia ($2M) and Germany ($1.7M). Ghostbusters films have traditionally found most of their audience domestically, with Afterlife earning over 63% of its global total in North America. Major markets like Japan, France, Brazil, Italy and Korea have yet to open.
Dune: Part Two has now surpassed the overseas total of its predecessor with $341 million from 73 markets, compared to $293.7 million for the original Dune. The sequel took in $30.7 million internationally this weekend for a 41% drop, putting it on track for around $650 million globally depending on competition from Godzilla vs Kong. In like-for-like markets, Dune 2 is tracking 73% ahead of the first Dune and 22% over Godzilla vs Kong using current exchange rates.
The IMAX global total for Dune 2 is $124 million, making it the 8th highest-grossing IMAX title ever. Internationally it has earned $65.7 million, the 7th biggest for the format. Elsewhere, the Chinese hit YOLO opened in Malaysia earning $1.6 million, the 2nd highest debut ever for a Chinese film there. Across six markets with Sony Pictures Releasing International distribution, YOLO took in $2.3 million this weekend for a total of $4.5 million so far.
