February 23-25, 2001
(Grosses in millions)

Around the World Round Up
by Kenan Bresnan

Master chef Hannibal cooked up $20.7 million, thanks to 15 sizzling debuts. In the process, the Anthony Hopkins thriller consumed records left and right. In Spain, it devoured a massive $2.9 million for the number one spot and over 40% of the entire weekend gross there. Elsewhere in the Spanish-speaking world, it savored $1.8 million in four days in Mexico and $1.2 million in Argentina.

Additionally, Dr. Lecter's return snared $1 million from Brazil, $1 million from The Netherlands (another record), $604,000 in Sweden, and $379,000 in Denmark. Ridley Scott's gore-fest had similarly strong premieres in Chile, Colombia, Finland, Israel, Norway, Peru, and Portugal. However, in Singapore, its first Asian engagement, it bowed with a more sedate $288,000.

Holdover-wise, Hannibal dipped a reasonable 36% in the United Kingdom to $5.2 million in its second weekend for a total of $19,603,893. But it plummeted 58% in Australia to $1 million, due to the new R-rating the government instituted on Wednesday, six days after the film was released. The tally there is $4.3 million in 11 days. Through its third frame in Italy though, it has earned a fabulous $11.2 million.

Next week Hannibal invades France, Belgium, Hong Kong, and the Philippines.

What Women Want again retained pole position in Germany, easing just 19% for a stellar $15.2 million total in 11 days. That puts it comfortably ahead of Hannibal there, which skidded 44% for $11.6 million total in the same time. The Mel Gibson comedy also maintained pole position in another German speaking nation, Austria, banking $2.6 million in 11 days.

Cast Away conjured up nearly $9 million from 26 countries, including a solid $4.6 million first two days in Japan and a superb $6.1 million in 24 days in South Korea. Its foreign total hit $145.2 million.

Unbreakable continues to do well in Japan, with $15.7 million to date, hoisting its overseas tally to $139.4 million.

Winding down a strong international run, Vertical Limit took $6.5 million from 52 territories, boosted by France's $2.2 million, Italy's $949,000, and Belgium's $397,000. Its fantastic total of $117.5 million has far outdistanced the domestic total of $68.3 million.

The Oscar nominee Chocolat is pleased crowds in Italy ($679,000) and Australia, where it has a fine $1.1 million total from limited release. Talks are going on for a wide release.

Billy Elliot took $2.5 million in 15 countries, thanks to excellent openings in Italy ($778,000) and in Hungary. With 18 countries still to open in, the film has taken a $58.7 million. It pirouettes into Mexico on March 2 and into Brazil on March 9.

Vacationing school kids in the U.K. inflated The Emperor's New Groove's weekend gross to $2.6 million, 44% higher than its opening last weekend and $8 million total. Still early in its foreign campaign, the Disney toon has hauled in $18.1 million, putting it in a good position to at least match its $85.7 million domestic tally.

O Brother, Where Art Thou? had an outstanding opening in South Africa and is now the highest grossing Coen Brothers film in Norway. $24,596,451 is its new total. Meanwhile, Meet the Parents ascended to $119.3 million. Bedazzled entered its last major market France with meager results as its foreign total reached $47.3 million.