Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix dominated the international box office this weekend with a massive $190.3 million from more than 12,000 prints, reports Variety. With its $140 million domestic tally, the $150 million-budgeted film has already reached $330.3 million worldwide.
The launch represented the third-biggest international opening frame ever, trailing only Spider-Man 3 and Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End. Warner Bros.’ fifth “Harry Potter” film finished first in all 61 markets in which it opened.
“Order of the Phoenix” conjured up the best foreign debut of the five “Potter” films. The quintet’s now grossed a collective $2.6 billion overseas and $3.9 billion worldwide, with two more pics — Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — coming in 2008 and 2010.
Paramount’s Transformers continued to exceed expectations with solid traction outside the United States, landing $35.9 million at 3,793 playdates in 33 territories. The Michael Bay film — which has yet to open in France, Germany, Japan, Mexico and the U.K. — has already hit $146.4 million overseas and $320.2 million worldwide.
Shrek the Third, Paramount’s other summer tentpole, added $18.7 million from 5,390 theaters in 54 markets. The animated sequel is up to $361.5 million overseas, or 75% of the final international total for Shrek 2, with Italy and Scandinavia still to open. Worldwide, it stands at $643.6 million.
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End earned an additional $4.4 million overseas and has reached $634.8 million internationally, trailing Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest by just $7.4 million. Global grosses are at $939 million, the fifth-highest ever.
