"The Last Samurai" is fast closing in on $300 million abroad, reinforcing topliner Tom Cruise's reputation of consistently being able to parlay his films to much bigger results internationally than at home.
"The Last Samurai" flew to $295.3 million after banking $12.8 million from roughly 4,700 screens in 55 territories. The warrior saga minted $2 million in its 11th stanza in Japan, which means it has raked in more in that territory -- $111.5 million -- than domestically. Europe has contributed $134.1 million.
That continues the pattern of Cruise's "Minority Report," which grossed $226 million internationally and $132 million at home.
Aside from "Samurai," folks in Japan were in thrall to "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" last weekend, while elsewhere Valentine's Day saw lots of couples head for "Something's Gotta Give." Meanwhile, school vacation in parts of Europe sent kids scurrying to "Brother Bear" and "The Haunted Mansion."
"The Return of the King" returned $14.7 million on 729 screens in Japan, including $3.6 million in sneaks; in yen, it eclipsing the bow of "The Two Towers" by 37%. New Line is confident "King" will soar to $100 million in Japan, which would outperform the predecessor's $65 million total.
All told, director Peter Jackson's epic amassed $21.7 million from 4,128 screens in 60 territories, elevating the cume to $618.4 million.
The ultra-consistent "Something's Gotta Give" romanced an estimated $16.9 million from lusty debuts in seven territories and holdovers in 18 markets, spurring its cume to $39.4 million.
The Jack Nicholson/Diane Keaton starrer grabbed the top spots in Germany, fetching $4 million on 536 screens, with previews (103% bigger than "As Good as It Gets" and marking personal bests for both thesps); and in Spain, scoring $1.75 million on 230 (53% up on that prior Nicholson vehicle).
Battle-of-the-sexes saga was No. 1 in Austria ($700,000 on 74), South Africa and Argentina; a solid second behind the soph sesh of local war epic "Taegukgi" in South Korea ($867,000); and handy in Hong Kong ($242,000 on 23).
Through its second weekends, Warners pic has courted $5.7 million in the U.K. (down a mere 1%), $3.8 million in Italy (up fractionally on the debut weekend) and $3.7 million in France (shedding 29%).
Japan, actually
"Love Actually" is an appealing alternative to the hobbits' tale in Japan, picking up $1.6 million in its second outing (dipping just 3%) to bring the territory total to $5.6 million.
Hugh Grant starrer ruled in Taiwan, its final major market, mustering $273,000 on 56 with sneaks and doing better than "Bridget Jones's Diary." Its estimated cume towers at $170 million.
"Brother Bear" opened impressively in Belgium (snaring $601,000 on 89); Holland ($340,000 on 100, the second biggest toon debut in winter behind "Toy Story 2"); and Finland ($360,000 on 50, No. 2 animated entry, trailing "Finding Nemo").
Disney pic retained the lead in its second sojourns in Sweden, tallying $2.2 million to date (off 15%), and in Denmark, for $2.4 million (jumping by 21%). "Bear" earned $3.4 million in its third in France (down just 6%), advancing to $12.5 million. It has notched up a lucrative $68.3 million in 19 countries.
Ghost world
"Haunted Mansion" captured a lively $3.2 million on 420 in the U.K. (bigger than the "Dr. Dolittle" and "Nutty Professor" sequels) and a top-ranked $275,000 on 35 in the Philippines.
Through its third chapters, the Eddie Murphy starrer has mustered a nifty $5.8 million in Mexico (still No. 1) and $5.7 million in Spain.
"Cheaper by the Dozen" took pole position in the U.K. with $3.3 million on 364, including $1.2 million in previews, and in Brazil, rustling up $507,000 on 211, but scored a tepid $204,000 on 70 in South Korea. Fox's comedy has pocketed $19.2 million in 14 markets, including Australia's $6.3 million and Mexico's $5.4 million.
"Cold Mountain" drummed up a fine $1.5 million on 280 in Italy, comparable to "Chicago," and a so-so $285,000 on 116 in Brazil. American Civil War saga has garnered a sturdy $13.5 million in Blighty and a respectable $5.2 million in Australia.
'Master' sails on
"Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World" trapped a reasonable $249,000 on 33 in Hong Kong and its cume sailed to $100 million, with Japan ahead.
"Lost in Translation" drew a classy $997,000 on 149 in Spain, and its estimated cume moved up to $36 million, including the U.K.'s superb $13 million and Oz's $3 million.
"School of Rock" held stoutly in the U.K., orchestrating a jaunty $8.7 million in 10 days (off 29%) and in Germany, making $2.9 million in 11 days (easing by 23%). Par/UIP laffer had passable preems in Holland ($265,000 on 49) and Switzerland ($211,000 on 41).
"Stuck on You" reigned Down Under, posting $1.2 million on 192, one of its better bows in a foreign journey that has yielded a modest $23.4 million in 27 markets. Farrelly brothers' laffer will need a bit of luck in its remaining territories to match domestic's paltry $33 million.
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