May 18-20, 2001

Around the World Round Up
by Kenan Bresnan

The Mummy Returns bowed in 21 territories and topped the charts in every one to deliver an enormous $28.3 million weekend. With the new pic other pics increased their box office revenue and helped increase their respective markets by 30% or more. The UIP release should have a better or same result next weekend as it opens in France and several other major markets.

In the United Kingdom, Stephen Sommers' film reaped $8.3 million from 452 screens to become the eighth-biggest opener ever. The monstrous $18,388 screen average was a little under Bridget Jones's Diary's debut a month ago. Also in Blightly Ek Rishtaa and Amores Perros open to around $9,000 screen averages which helped to push the U.K. box office to an enormous 148% increase from last weekend.

In Spain, The Mummy Returns bowed to the third-biggest debut all-time taking $3,002,672 from 288 for an average of $10,426. Spain's own Torrente 2: Mission to Marbella debuted to a higher $3,087,440, but a lower screen average of $10,291 (from 300 screens). So the Bredan Frasier starrer has the highest screen average debut this year (which promises to be one of the highest, if not the highest, ever).

In Germany, the horror pic opened to a soft $5.9 million from a whopping 858 screens to become May's largest opener ever there. It did pick up an added $1.1 million over the week to have a much stronger $7 million. Elsewhere in Germany The Wedding Planner and Chocolat both improved 13%. The Jennifer Lopez starrer has accumulated $3.8 million so far. Chocolat lost 351 screens yet still improved to a cume of $12.8 million.

In sophmore sessions in Italy and Australia, The Mummy Returns fell 35% and 41%, respectively. In Australia the action/adventure film had to fend off another aciton/adventure genre film in New Line's 15 Minutes which opened to a good $433,000 from 137 screens. The Top 20 Oz box office fell only 19%.

In South Korea, local film A Friend continued to dominate. It's held the top spot for eight strait weeks and ensured no look-in for newbies The Exorcist (Director's Cut), Enemy at the Gates, and Teh Wedding Planner. The Exorcist was the best of the trio from 20 screens in Seoul as it witnessed about 40,000 admissions in two days, 25% higher than A Friend which still control the country abroad. Hannibal and The Mexican have grossed $2 million+ and $2.1 million respectivley as of the last count.

Speaking of Hannibal, it again led Japan as it enjoyed an $800,000 week for a grand total of $29,018,043 so far. Nothing should pass the cannibal tale for at least another two months as nothing will open.

This weekend Australia will be the first major market to put Moulin Rouge in all its theaters. Also opening there will be 3000 Miles to Graceland, Joe Dirt and Whipped. In France The Mummy Returns and The Anniversary Party will be the only major films to open. After opening in Russia Heartbreakers will bow in Germany along with several German titles. Little Nicky and Men of Honor try to dethrown Hannibal in Japan. In the United Kingdom Blow, Joe Dirt, and See Spot Run all open.

Australia will obviously be led by Moulin Rouge. A $1.5 million open should be expected. Joe Dirt might crack the Top 5 but 3000 Miles to Graceland and Whipped will bearly make the Top 20. In France The Mummy Returns could open to $6.43 million. In Germany Heartbreakers wont break The Mummy Returns top spot. Unless Little Nicky surprises us, Hannibal should lead Japan again. In the United Kingdom The Mummy Returns wil continue to reign but Blow should take the highest screen average and the third spot.

Check out the France Forecast