International box office: 'Titans' holds off 'Titanic' for top spot
With a grip on the top spot for the second week, Wrath of the Titans won the battle against the Titanic 3D reissue over the Easter holiday weekend, drawing $43 million across 60 markets around the world.
The Titans 3D sequel, costarring Sam Worthington, Liam Neeson and Ralph Fiennes, has earned 72% of the worldwide gross outside North America at $152.5 million, per BoxOfficeMojo.com.
Over only two weeks, the action fantasy epic, based on Greek mythology, has earned almost half the total international take of 2010's Clash of the Titans.
In second, the second biggest ever box office hit, 1997's Titanic, returned in 3D to claim $35.5 million in 53 markets on its release for the 100th anniversary of the Titanic sinking.
James Cameron's film rose to first place in five markets including the UK, Germany and Italy and hit second place in France, fourth in South Korea and fifth in Australia. The film has made $1.29 billion, second to Cameron's Avatar ($2.031 billion).
In third place, The Hunger Games struck at third with $25.5 million across 60 markets, dipping 27% and slipping from second.
The action sci-fi story, starring Jennifer Lawrence (X-Men: First Class) and Josh Hutcherson (Journey 2), still reigns in the US with 66% of the worldwide revenues, or $302.8 million, compared to the international markets' total take of $157.1 million.
Fourth was American Pie: Reunion, opening in 28 territories and collecting $19.3 million, a one-week record for the franchise outside the US.
This installment in the comedy series climbed to first place in Russia and Australia. It is scheduled to debut in several more markets in April including Brazil and Germany, then continues to roll out in the UK, France, Hong Kong and other territories in May.
Ranking fifth was Dr. Seuss' The Lorax, based on the classic children's book, drawing $11.8 million from 49 territories with several more debuts. The 3D animated family film, featuring the voices of Danny DeVito and singer Taylor Swift, has more release dates coming, in Hong Kong and the Netherlands in April and France and the UK in July.
RC
