As much as that became an issue during the emergence from Covid, the situation remains challenging.
The frequency of moviegoing the habit of moviegoing every week thats gone.
This gets exacerbated when there arent a lot of event titles which help increase foot traffic.
‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’Universal Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection
Although more studio movies were granted release during the year, they saw even more diminished returns.
Theres a big message, huffs an international distribution exec.
Overall momentum was good in Europe.
I think theres no ceiling, but theres also no floor now.
Disney/MarvelsGuardians of the Galaxy Vol.
3was the exception, landing at No.
5 internationally; and while animation overall continues to be a head-scratcher,Sony/MarvelsSpider-Man: Across the Spider-Versewas No.
Below is a look at how the studios fared internationally in 2023, followed by select overseas market snapshots.
It also means Universal has passed $3B global seven out of the last 10 years.
Universal prides itself on the diversity of its broad slate (24 films in 2023).
It plumbed audiences the globe over as it went on to become the No.
2 animated title of all time.
In July, Christopher NolansOppenheimerdefied the odds of being a three-hour R-rated biopic facing off withBarbie.
Uni also boasts the biggest horror title of the year with Octobers Blumhouse scarerFive Nights at Freddys.
WhileFast Xdid over $500M internationally in the spring, it was downshifted in China.
Its important to recall that launching original animation is different now versus pre-pandemic.
3($846M ww/$487M intl).
The live-action take onThe Little Mermaid($570M ww/$272M intl) is No.
The $496M global final (No.
9 overall) includes $342M from international (or 69% of the total).
The Marvelsthen failed to fly, finaling at $206M global/$121.4M international,ouch.
Searchlights Venice Golden Lion winner and awards season charmerPoor Thingswill start more significant overseas release this month.
Respectively, those are massive increases of 61% and 67% on 2022.
It also has bragging rights to the No.
1 movie worldwide with the Greta Gerwig-directedBarbie($1.45B ww/$809.4M intl).
But, the remainder of the Zack Snyder-born DC universe seized during 2023 asShazam:!
In May, George Miller returns to the Mad Max saga withFuriosa.
And in October, Joaquin Phoenix will be back inJoker: Folie a Deuxalongside Lady Gaga.
Both previous installments successfully used those events as launchpads.
6 on the global chart.
Dont ever count Cruise out.
Whereas generally local films help all others to rise, the same cant be said of China.
Were not making movies for China, not counting on huge grosses in China.
Now we have to be smart about how we navigate the market.
JAPANJapan remained the No.
However, when there is a British element thinkOppenheimerorWonka(Nos.
2 and 4 for 2023) those films will excel.
AfterWonka, the top British movie wasThe Great Escaperat $6.7M.
The only local title to sneak into the Top 5 was Guillaume CanetsAsterix & Obelix: The Middle Kingdom.
KOREAWhile no one is really concerned about France or Germany, Korea is still struggling.
Time was, the annual per capita was 4.4 versus 2.5 now.
People are willing to go, they just werent going enough, says one international distribution maven.
The market is one of the rare ones to have maintained the habit of moviegoing.
Hollywood movies dominated, but Eugenio Derbez-starrerRadicalwas tops among local titles at over $12M.
Yet, were told the market remains sluggish at upgrading cinemas which is an issue going forward.
A similar initiative was enacted pre-pandemic with positive results.
1, and his Pathaan No.
