The international box office experienced a relatively subdued weekend, especially outside of China, which saw a promising kick-off for Lunar New Year releases. While there were some expansions and one fresh studio entry, the majority of box office earnings came from films that have been running since the previous year. Even with this seemingly quiet landscape, there were a few noteworthy achievements that deserve a closer examination.
In the midst of a lackluster weekend, Disney made headlines with its animated feature, Moana 2, which has reached an impressive global total of over $1 billion, specifically standing at $1.037 billion. This milestone places Moana 2 as the ninth highest-grossing animated film of all time. It has surpassed other popular animated titles such as Finding Dory and Despicable Me 3. This financial success underscores not only Disney’s stronghold in the animated film sector but also the continual appeal of its storytelling and character-driven narratives.
Adding to Disney’s success, Mufasa: The Lion King has crossed the $650 million mark globally, with a current tally of $653 million. In its seventh week, this film grossed an additional $11.7 million from international screenings — a modest 29% decrease from the previous weekend. Major markets for this title include France, the UK, Germany, Mexico, and Italy, but what is particularly interesting is the way in which audiences in different regions are engaging with these stories, which often translates into varied box office performance.
Among the weekend’s new releases, Studiocanal’s Paddington in Peru continues to charm viewers and has garnered $8.7 million across 51 international territories, bringing its offshore total to an impressive $93.2 million ahead of its anticipated North American release on Valentine’s Day. This highlights a growing trend where family-oriented films find success in international markets prior to their domestic debuts. It reflects on the type of stories and characters that resonate with global audiences, transcending cultural boundaries with universal themes of family, adventure, and humor.
Furthermore, Paramount continues to see success with Sonic the Hedgehog 3, which has now crossed the $462.5 million global threshold, after adding $7 million during this weekend alone. The film’s international earnings so far show strong performance in various markets, including the UK and Mexico. As franchises like these build upon established fan bases, their ability to convert this loyalty into substantial box office sales becomes increasingly critical.
New Line/Warner Bros.’ horror film Companion debuted across 60 international markets with $5.5 million, marking a global start of $15 million. While the UK was the highest-grossing market for this title, it symbolizes an intriguing moment for horror films, suggesting that global audiences are increasingly open to diverse cinematic experiences that may have previously been overlooked in certain regions. Such trends might represent a shift in preferences, as audiences are more willing to explore genres beyond the conventional blockbuster.
In relation to animation, Universal/DreamWorks Animation’s Dog Man expanded into 29 new markets this weekend, achieving a $4.6 million international total after just one previous opening. Spain topped the chart for this release, indicating that local tastes and the strategic timing of releases can play a significant role in the success of animated features outside of traditional domestic markets.
Overall, while the international box office may have felt uneventful this weekend, the data reveals a transformative period in cinema where studios are discovering new opportunities for engagement beyond their traditional strongholds. The continued successes of established franchises alongside emerging genres hint at an evolving landscape, one in which global storytelling transcends borders and engages diverse audiences. As the industry continues to navigate changes in viewer preferences and distribution models, one can only anticipate how these trends will shape the future of international cinema in the days ahead.