With MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE 2 still holding on in many countries, PERFECT STORMs debut in Hong Kong and the U.K. shook up the international box office. Finishing at the top spot in the U.K., STORM grossed US$2.86 million over the weekend and $3.25 million since its Wednesday nod. Slipping to #2, STUART LITTLE grossed $2.08 million, advancing its British cume to $9.59 million. The U.K. sensation, CHICKEN RUN, amassed another $1.82 million in third, bringing its cume to $28.85 million. MISSION IMPOSSIBLE 2 settled at fourth with a gross of $1.3 million, raising its British cume to $20.94 million. Falling to sixth, THE PATRIOT added $462,998 to its British cume of $4.56 million. With lackluster debuts in the U.K., TITAN A.E. and THE FLINTSTONES VIVA ROCK VEGAS finished in seventh with a gross of $365,054 and eighth with a gross of $340,260 respectively. Down from sixth to ninth, GLADIATOR racked up another $318,994, advancing its British cume to $43.16 million. Rounding out the top ten, THOMAS AND THE MAGIC RAILROAD grossed $206,058, advancing its British cume to $1.63 million and looking like its short life in the U.K. will be far longer than in the U.S. With a debut at #1 in Hong Kong, PERFECT STORM grossed $614,934. In turn, the premiere of GONE IN 60 SECONDS only placed at #3, with a gross of $547,385. DINOSAUR slipped from #1 to #4, grossing $231,184, bringing its Hong Kong cume to $3 million. Wrapping up its first full week in theatres, STORM took the top spot in Germany, adding $2.37 million to its $6.77 million cume. Down to third, M:I 2 gross another $1.86 million, raising its German cume to $21.26 million. Moving up two slots to #7, THE TIGGER MOVIE grossed $312,599, advancing its German cume to $3.71 million. Elsewhere, the MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE sequel ruled the box office. In Japan, the espionage actioner grossed $2.04 million at #1, bringing its cume to $14.88 million. The Tom Cruise-starrer demolished all of its toon challengers. POKEMON 3 came in at #2, with a gross of $529,501, raising its cume to $3.12 million. In third, STUART LITTLE grossed $528,509, bringing its Japanese cume to $1.92 million. GLADIATOR stayed steady at #4, with a gross of $264,073, advancing its Japanese cume to $5.46 million. After one full week in Japanese theatres, CARDCAPTER SAKURA, based on the newly imported to the U.S. TV series, amassed only $187,279 in fifth, advancing its cume to $599,398. Holding on in eighth, TOEI ANIME FAIR, featuring DIGIMON, brought in $151,289, raising its cume to $814,428. In Italy, M:I 2 finished at #1 with a gross of $389,722, raising its cume to $7.61 million. Rising a spot to #3, GLADIATOR rounded up $102,416, bringing its Italian cume to $8.83 million.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
