(Variety) Sony’s action-comedy “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle” has launched in first place in China with a solid $40 million, topping the third weekend of local hit “The Ex-File: The Return of the Exes.”
The China launch for “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle” also came in 39% above last weekend’s $28 million opening of “Star Wars: The Last Jedi.” China has proven to be a tough market for “The Last Jedi” with only $38.8 million after two weeks — the only real disappointment so far for the Star Wars film, which has hit an impressive $673.4 million in international box office.
Thanks to the Chinese launch, “Jumanji” dominated the weekend internationally with $81 million at abut 32,000 screens in 93 markets to win that title for the third time — pushing its international total to $383 million. The Dwayne Johnson-Kevin Hart vehicle, a sequel to 1995’s Robin Williams hit, has won the domestic box office on back-to-back weekends and has a worldwide total of $667 million.
“Jumanji” has totaled $159.2 million in Europe, led by $40.4 million in the U.K. after four weeks, followed by $21.9 million in France and $17.2 million in Germany. Asia’s regional total has hit $113.1 million, including $11.6 million in South Korea after two weeks. In Malaysia, “Jumanji” is now the second-highest grosser of all-time at $13.4 million.
Latin America’s regional total has hit $57 million, led by Brazil $13.6 million in two weeks. Australia has generated $27.8 million in three weeks.
The original “Jumanji” grossed $262 million worldwide. “Welcome to the Jungle” follows four high schoolers in detention who wind up as video game characters facing an array of challenges.
“The Ex-File: The Return of the Exes” finished a distant second on the international chart with $24 million. The comedy sequel has a total of $254 million from three markets. “The Ex-File” movie — the third and final title in the series — stars Han Geng and Ryan Zheng Kai as bachelors who have broken up with their girlfriends.
The opening of historical drama “Forever Young” came in third with $20.3 million in its China opening. The film stars Zhang Ziyi, Huang Xiaoming, Chang Chen, Wang Leehom and Chen Chusheng with a focus on four generations of modern Chinese history since World War II.
Disney’s “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” and “Coco” both grossed $19 million over the weekend. “The Last Jedi” has now totaled $673.4 million internationally and $1.26 billion worldwide for the 10th largest global total of all time. The China total of $38.8 million is sixth on the international list for “Jedi,” trailing the U.K. at $107.3 million, Germany at $77.6 million, France at $60.1 million, Japan at $58.1 million and Australia at $42.2 million.
“Coco” scored a $6.7 million launch in South Korea and $2.5 million in Argentina, lifting its international total to $425 million. China is the top international market with $183 million — just $13.5 million short of the domestic total.
Sony scared up $17.7 million for “Insidious: The Last Key” at 5,100 screens in 40 markets for an overseas total of $44.2 million. The fourth Insidious movie set a record in Indonesia as the biggest horror film of all time with $5.2 million. is handling the film in North America, where it has grossed an impressive $50.3 million in its first two weeks.
Fox’s “The Greatest Showman” brought in $15.2 million from 6,795 screens in 71 markets, lifting the international total to more than $100 million with France, China, and Japan still to come. The Hugh Jackman musical has hit $97 million in North America.
Fox’s animated “Ferdinand” followed with $13.3 million at 9,311 screens in 70 markets, including a first-place start in Brazil with $3.6 million. “Ferdinand” has taken in $132 million internationally and opens in China next weekend.
Universal’s war drama “Darkest Hour” took in $10.6 million from 23 markets, led by a first-place U.K. opening of $5.8 million at 609 locations. The film, starring Gary Oldman as Winston Churchill,” topped the launches of “Gone Girl,” “War Horse,” “The King’s Speech,” “The Imitation Game” and “The Iron Lady.”
Fox’s awards contender “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” took in $7.7 million in a dozen markets with a third-place launch in the U.K. with $3.2 million and in second place in Spain with $1.1 million. Liam Neeson’s “The Commuter” opened with $6.3 million in 14 markets, including $2.3 million from Germany.
Source: Variety By Dave McNary