Disney’s blockbuster hit, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End, from producer Jerry Bruckheimer and director Gore Verbinski, earned an unprecedented 6-day opening tally of $404 million, it was announced today by Mark Zoradi, president of Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Marketing and Distribution. The film exceeded the weekend estimates with its 6-day final cume, and surpassed the previous opening record of $382 million set by Spider-Man 3 just a few weeks ago.
Domestically, “At World’s End” claimed a new milestone with the all-time biggest four-day gross for a Memorial Day (or any holiday) weekend. The film grossed $139.8 million over the four-day holiday period (Friday through Monday) and boosted its cume to a swashbuckling $153 million.
Adding to its status as a box office phenomenon in 102 international territories (on an unprecedented 17,500 screens), Disney’s latest “Pirates” adventure sailed into the record books with its opening gross (through Monday) of $251 million. The film posted record-breaking industry openings in 17 territories: Argentina, Ecuador, Holland, Iceland, Israel, Japan, Korea, Latvia, Malaysia, Norway, Panama, Russia, Slovenia, Spain, Taiwan, Ukraine and Venezuela. Through Monday, May 28, the film continues to set Walt Disney Studios records in such countries as the U.K. ($34.5 million), Germany ($22.9 million), France ($22 million), Korea ($19.3 million), Japan ($18.4 million), Russia ($15.4 million), Spain ($13.2 million), Australia ($10.5 million), and a consolidated Latin American regional gross of $22.9 million. “Pirates” still has a few markets yet to open including China and India.
Commenting on the announcement, Zoradi said, “‘Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End’ is truly becoming a cultural phenomenon all over the world and the global box office returns have continued to exceed our expectations and estimates. We’re delighted that audiences everywhere are enjoying this epic adventure and clearly spreading the word. Jerry Bruckheimer and Gore Verbinski, along with the spectacular cast headed by Johnny Depp, have delivered a motion picture experience that thrills and satisfies on so many levels. We’re ecstatic with this record-setting opening and have tremendous expectations for a long and profitable run.”
