`Quantum of Solace` still rules overseas with fifth week at #1

01-Dec-2008 • Quantum Of Solace

James Bond stayed strong at the international box office as "Quantum of Solace" racked up its fifth straight weekend victory with $20.1 million at 8,755 playdates in 73 markets, reports Variety.

"Solace" managed to win easily even though it took a 50% hit as rivals began going head to head with 007 -- notably in Australia, where its second Australian frame slid 64% to $2.8 million to finish well behind a solid $5 million launch for Baz Luhrmann's epic "Australia." "Solace" also finished second in the U.K., off 47% in its fifth weekend to $2.4 million, while domestic winner "Four Christmases" easily topped the chart with $3.5 million.

Overall biz turned relatively moderate as the top five films -- including "Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa," "Body of Lies," "Twilight" and "Bolt" -- combined for $55 million. "Solace," which has kept Hollywood studios on pace to match 2007's record of $9.5 billion in overseas grosses, posted the lowest first-place figure since "Eagle Eye" led with $11 million five weeks ago.

Outside the U.S. "Solace" has totaled $340.1 million -- more than 70% of its worldwide cume of $482 million. It's shown longer legs overseas than domestically and joins "Mamma Mia!" as the only titles to win five international weekends this year.

"Solace" also scored $2.3 million in its fourth German frame and took in $2.1 million in its second Spanish session, declining 60%. Foreign cume has hit $340.1 million, led by $75.5 million in the U.K., $35.3 million in Germany and $30.1 million in France.

The weekend's other major contribution came from Paramount's "Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa" with $12.5 million at 2,364 in two dozen markets. The toon's Spanish opening led the way with $5.7 million, 54% higher than the original "Madagascar."

Foreign grosses for the "Madagascar" sequel have already hit $71.5 million, with 11 launches coming next weekend, including France, Germany and the U.K. Par's looking to tap into the same massive family audience that supported the original with $339 million outside the U.S. three years ago.

Warner Bros.' "Body of Lies" continued to bring in generally modest numbers, leading the rest of the pack with $8.3 million at 3,447 in 54 markets. The Leonardo DiCaprio starrer has totaled $43.7 million overseas -- about $5 million more than the domestic cume.

But domestic sensation "Twilight" put the bite on solid coin in its second weekend of a relatively limited foreign release with $7.6 million at 1,618 in 15 markets. Its Italian soph sesh declined 40% to $3.4 million, topping the $2.2 million launch of "Bolt" and leaving the second frame of "Body of Lies" in the dust with $1.2 million.

"Bolt" fetched a decent $6.6 million at 1,070 in three territories, led by $3.5 million in the surging Russian market. "Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa" has generated an eye-popping $40 million during its month in Russia.

The frame also saw Universal's "Changeling" take in $4.4 million at 1,040 in five territories, led by a $1.9 million U.K. opening in the territory's biggest launch of a pic directed by Clint Eastwood. "Changeling" has hit $14.1 million outside the U.S.