(Variety) “Justice League” has grossed $16.4 million at 21,000 screens in China on its first day Friday, including $1.3 million in midnight sneak previews.
Warner Bros.’ superhero tentpole took in 65% of the top five films in China. The first day number is on par with Disney-Marvel’s “Thor: Ragnarok” and the second-biggest opening day for a Warners title after “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.”
“Justice League” also earned $27.3 million on Wednesday and Thursday at 23,000 international sites in its first two days at the overseas box office, including $18 million on Thursday. The studio said the film was performing well in Asia with $6.3 million and in Latin America with $3.5 million, outgrossing “Wonder Woman” and “Thor: Ragnarok” in a majority of markets.
Australia debuted Thursday with $1.3 million on 729 screens, commanding 67% of the top five films — the biggest opening day for a Warners film in 2017 and on par with “Thor: Ragnarok.” Russia also launched Thursday with $1.3 million from 2,625 screens, with a 63% box office share of the top five and exceeding debut day grosses for “Wonder Woman” by 49%.
Brazil has generated $5.6 million in its first two days, followed by South Korea with $2.3 million in its first two days, and France with $1.7 million. “Justice League” debuts in 18 more markets Friday, including Spain, U.K., China and Mexico.
“Justice League” launched in the U.S. with a solid, but not spectacular $13 million on Thursday night. The number for “Justice League” is the fifth-biggest Thursday preview in North America of 2017, following “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Spider-Man: Homecoming,” and “Thor: Ragnarok.”
“Justice League” has remained on track for an opening weekend of $110 million since late October.
Stakes are high for Warner Bros., which hasn’t revealed the cost of “Justice League” — estimated to be as much as $300 million. The movie is the fifth installment of its DC Extended Universe, aimed at duplicating the success of Disney-Marvel’s interconnected franchises.
Source: Variety by Dave McNary