The big debut around the world this weekend was Ice Age: Continental Drift, which reached the top spot at the box office with $78 million, surpassing Spider-Man openings in Asia and taking the No. 1 spot from the reigning animated movie, Madagascar 3.
While The Amazing Spider-Man opened in only 13 countries, the fourth installment of the successful Ice Age franchise premiered in 34 markets. The animated family-friendly hit made record-setting debuts in South America, from Argentina to Brazil, as well as Mexico, where it made $13.8 million.
In France, the comedy sequel became 2012's biggest opener so far with $11.8 million, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The story follows Manny, Sid and Diego, voiced by Ray Romano, Denis Leary and John Leguizamo, traveling on an iceberg to new adventures.
Released two weeks ahead of North America, Ice Age 4 opens in 14 more markets, including Germany and the Netherlands next week.
At No. 2, The Amazing Spider-Man grabbed $50.2, million mostly premiering in Asian markets, with South Korea leading the way with $13.4 million or 71% of the box office and Japan earning $11.4 million for 84% of the market.
Spider-Man releases in North America this coming week for the July 4 holiday and spreads around the world. The film waited out the Euro Cup finals in many European countries, although a debut in Germany generated $4.2 million.
Fourth in the series, this Spidey reboot is a prequel directed by Marc Webb (500 Days of Summer) instead of Sam Raimi and stars Andrew Garfield (The Social Network), Emma Stone (The Help), and Rhys Ifans (Harry Potter).
Slipping to third place, Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted collected $16.2 million in its fourth weekend across 44 markets, bringing the worldwide total to $424.2 million and lifting its foreign gross total to $244.2 million since opening offshore on June 6.
At No. 4, Snow White and the Huntsman brought in $14.5 million from 60 markets. The action-fantasy based on the fairytale costars Kristen Stewart, Chris Hemsworth and Charlize Theron and has made $334.5 million.
Finishing fifth, the new Pixar animated film Brave drew $6.7 million in 11 markets including Australia, Russian, India and Indonesia. It's made $131.6 million in North America and opens wider internationally during July and August.
Other notable films include Sacha Baron Cohen's The Dictator, which seized first place in Italy. Also, Ted opened at No. 1 in North America with $54 million and came in second place in Australia. The comedy-fantasy stars Mark Wahlberg and is directed by Seth MacFarlane (Family Guy), who voices the teddy bear Ted.
RC
