It was War of the Worlds all the way as a perked-up overseas market welcomed another classic Steven Spielberg sci-fi adventure with $102.5 million from 9,955 screens, a five-day total combining more than 50 international openings from Wednesday to Saturday. "It's a fantastic opening around the world," said Andrew Cripps, president and chief operating officer of London-based offshore distributor United International Pictures. "We think it's the biggest non-sequel opening in the history of the industry and it's UIP's biggest opening by far." Cripps, also noting that it was fifth biggest overseas opening ever, said the initial foreign assault did not include France, Belgium, Korea, Poland, Portugal and South Africa, which are set to open this coming weekend starting Wednesday. War's overseas action, along with that of other heavyweight entries currently making the rounds, helped to relieve some of the boxoffice malaise that has been troubling the international arena during the summer season. Earlier blockbuster offerings in a crowded market -- Warner Bros.' Batman Begins and 20th Century Fox's Mr. & Mrs. Smith -- broke the $100 million mark, Batman at its third overseas weekend and Mr. & Mrs. Smith at its fourth. Furthermore, Star Wars: Episode III -- Return of the Sith picked up $7.5 million in two sets of previews prior to its official opening Saturday (9) in Japan, according to Fox.
It was War of the Worlds all the way as a perked-up overseas market welcomed another classic Steven Spielberg sci-fi adventure with $102.5 million from 9,955 screens, a five-day total combining more than 50 international openings from Wednesday to Saturday. "It's a fantastic opening around the world," said Andrew Cripps, president and chief operating officer of London-based offshore distributor United International Pictures. "We think it's the biggest non-sequel opening in the history of the industry and it's UIP's biggest opening by far." Cripps, also noting that it was fifth biggest overseas opening ever, said the initial foreign assault did not include France, Belgium, Korea, Poland, Portugal and South Africa, which are set to open this coming weekend starting Wednesday. War's overseas action, along with that of other heavyweight entries currently making the rounds, helped to relieve some of the boxoffice malaise that has been troubling the international arena during the summer season. Earlier blockbuster offerings in a crowded market -- Warner Bros.' Batman Begins and 20th Century Fox's Mr. & Mrs. Smith -- broke the $100 million mark, Batman at its third overseas weekend and Mr. & Mrs. Smith at its fourth. Furthermore, Star Wars: Episode III -- Return of the Sith picked up $7.5 million in two sets of previews prior to its official opening Saturday (9) in Japan, according to Fox.
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