Universal/DreamWorks Animation’s Kung Fu Panda 4 had an impressive weekend at the international box office, raking in $55.3M from 69 markets. This added to its overseas running total of $135M, bringing its global earnings to $268.2M. The film performed exceptionally well in China, with $25.7M generated, including previews from the previous session. China has historically been a lucrative market for the franchise, and the success of Kung Fu Panda 4 in that region bodes well for its overall performance. The film saw a clear No. 1 debut in China, with strong numbers following previews, indicating solid attendance from both adults and children. Additionally, the movie performed exceptionally in Italy, where it opened at No. 1 with a dominant 57% market share and $4.4M in earnings, making it the biggest opening of the year. School holidays beginning in Italy further add to the film’s potential for continued success in the region. Brazil also saw a strong start for Kung Fu Panda 4, with $2.5M in earnings, marking the second-biggest DWA opening of all time, and the biggest opening of the franchise.
Warner Bros/Legendary’s Dune: Part Two continued its impressive run at the international box office, surpassing its predecessor with $341M from 73 markets. The sequel, which had already outperformed its predecessor globally, saw a weekend gross of $30.7M, representing a 41% dip from the previous weekend. The film’s success in key markets such as China, the UK, France, Germany, and Australia has contributed to its overall strong performance. In IMAX screenings, Dune: Part Two has amassed a global cume of $124M, making it the 8th highest-grossing IMAX title of all time. The film is also tracking well against its predecessor and other recent blockbusters, with a notable 73% improvement over 2021’s Dune and a 22% increase over Godzilla vs Kong in like-for-like markets.
Sony’s Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire made its debut over the weekend, grossing $16.4M from its initial 25 international markets. The sequel, directed by Gil Kenan, showed promising performance, tracking 15% ahead of its predecessor, Ghostbusters: Afterlife, at current rates. The film’s global debut of $61.6M indicates a strong start, with the UK leading the way with $5.3M in earnings. Mexico, Australia, Germany, and Spain also contributed to the film’s successful international debut. While Ghostbusters has traditionally been a domestic-driven property, the film’s performance in international markets suggests potential for significant earnings beyond North America.
Both Kung Fu Panda 4 and Dune: Part Two have demonstrated strong performances at the international box office, with impressive earnings from key markets and positive reception from audiences. The success of these films bodes well for their overall box office potential, with continued releases in additional markets expected to further boost their global earnings. As the industry continues to recover from the impact of the pandemic, these blockbuster releases showcase the enduring appeal of franchise films and their ability to attract audiences worldwide.