Around-the-World Roundup: 'Ghost Rider 2' Catches Fire Overseas
It may never have ranked higher than third place domestically, but Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance found its way in to first place at the overseas box office this weekend with close to $22 million. It opened on top in Russia with a massive $8.2 million, and had a quieter $2.2 million start in Germany. It also retained first place in Brazil with a strong $2.7 million. The comic book sequel has now made around $44 million overseas.

After holding the top spot for consecutive weekends, international hit Journey 2: The Mysterious Island had to settle for second with $21.1 million. Its top territory was once again China, where it added $5.8 million for a total of $48 million. It now ranks third all-time there among Warner Bros. releases. The movie's only major opening this weekend came in Italy ($2.3 million), and it's slated to expand in to Germany on Thursday. The movie has already grossed $161.8 million on the foreign circuit, which tops the first Journey's $140.3 million final tally.

Safe House continued to do solid business overseas by adding $13 million in 45 markets this weekend. It had solid debuts in the United Kingdom ($3.4 million), France ($2.2 million) and Germany ($1.6 million). Through three weekends in theaters, the Denzel Washington-Ryan Reynolds thriller has earned $35.5 million.

This Means War grossed $11.1 million in its second weekend for a total of $24.98 million. Its biggest earners were holdover markets Russia ($3.1 million) and Australia ($1.46 million).

Hugo had its best weekend yet, grossing $8.6 million for a total of $67.6 million. It's only major opening was in Spain, where it claimed first place with $2.3 million.

International sensation The Intouchables added $8.4 million this weekend for an incredible total of $247.8 million. It debuted in second place in Italy with just under $2 million, and held first place in Germany for the seventh-straight weekend with $4.55 million. With a $51.83 million total, it's now the highest-grossing non-sequel in Germany since Avatar. The comedy/drama is slated for a limited opening in the U.S. on the last weekend of May.

The Woman in Black grossed at least $7.4 million this weekend for a total of $37.1 million. Much of that came in the U.K., where it held in first place with $3.9 million.

Fox International Productions released August 8th in Russia this weekend and earned $5.85 million. Fox also scored with The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, which debuted to $3.5 million in the U.K. (and is scheduled for limited release in the U.S. on May 4).

Other Notables - Weekend Gross - Gross-to-Date

Fetih 1453 - $6 - $20.2

The Descendants - $5.4 - $77.7

Chronicle - $5.1 - $36.4

The Phantom Menace (3D) - $5.1 - $46.1

War Horse - $5.1 - $62.7

Underworld 4 - $4.9 - $83.5

The Vow - $4.9 - $33.4

The Devil Inside - $4.9 - $15.5

Mission: Impossible 4 - $4.6 - $472.9

In Time - $4.1 - $123.2

The Muppets - $4.1 - $65.3

Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close - $3.7 - $8.5

Jack and Jill - $3.6 - $68

Puss in Boots - $2.4 - $384

Girl with the Dragon Tattoo - $2.4 - $124.3

Contraband - $2.1 - $12.1

Alvin and the Chipmunks 3 - $1.3 - $200.9

Domestic Report:

'Act of Valor' Gets SEAL of Approval

Last Weekend:

'Journey 2' Still Strong Overseas



Related Charts:

• 2012 Worldwide Grosses

• 2011 Worldwide Grosses

• All-Time Worldwide Grosses