‘Potter 7’ hits $1 billion mark worldwide
August 2, 2011 02:21 pm
LOS ANGELES (AP) — “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2” took the top spot in the international box office race this weekend, conjuring up $66.4 million and tying “Avatar” for the fastest sprint to the $1 billion mark at just 17 days.
There was little anti-American sentiment in evidence as audiences in 31 foreign territories rallied around the red, white and blue of “Captain America: The First Avenger” for a No. 2 gross of $48.5 million on its first weekend of wide release overseas.
“Transformers: Dark of the Moon” continued its strong international performance, extracting another $42 million from audiences at nearly 12,000 locations in 61 markets. The film opened in Japan for the first time this weekend, posting a franchise best tally there of $9.5 million in 318 theaters.
“The Smurfs,” while battling “Cowboys & Aliens” for first place at home, made their debut internationally with $4.4 million in just seven markets and a larger than expected global total of $40.6 million.
There was little anti-American sentiment in evidence as audiences in 31 foreign territories rallied around the red, white and blue of “Captain America: The First Avenger” for a No. 2 gross of $48.5 million on its first weekend of wide release overseas.
“Transformers: Dark of the Moon” continued its strong international performance, extracting another $42 million from audiences at nearly 12,000 locations in 61 markets. The film opened in Japan for the first time this weekend, posting a franchise best tally there of $9.5 million in 318 theaters.
“The Smurfs,” while battling “Cowboys & Aliens” for first place at home, made their debut internationally with $4.4 million in just seven markets and a larger than expected global total of $40.6 million.
