Refresh for latest…: Disneys Dumbo, the live-action adaptation of the beloved 1941 classic, grossed $71M at the international box office this weekend. Liftoff is below pre-opening projections which were in the $80M-$90M range on the Tim Burton-directed pic. The main issue here, which we noted in our preview would be a swing factor, is that Asia didnt significantly prick up its ears for the little fellow. Domestic also flew in lower with $45M for a $116M global start.
First the more positive news: Across 53 material markets, which rep essentially 100% of the worldwide footprint, Dumbo landed No. 1 in such hubs as France, Italy, Spain, Russia, the UK, Argentina, Brazil and Mexico with families providing some nice upticks across Saturday and Sunday. Latin America, which leans into family fare, saw No. 1s across the board. Mexico was especially strong, with a 65% share and a $7.2M weekend. Thats the 3rd highest Disney Live Action opening frame of all time. Europe and Latin America will have some runway ahead as kids in many markets move into Easter breaks.
As for Asia, while Dumbo was No. 1 in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand, none of those markets appears in the Top 10. China leads all play at $10.7M for the best western spot and has a good social score, indicating some positive word of mouth. Reviews aggregator Douban gives it a middling 6.8. Japan – typically a big Burton hub — came in with $2.4M, also the markets best of the weekend for a Hollywood movie, but No. 9 in the films Top 10 this session. Overall, Asia, which has less traditional awareness of the character, didnt connect in the hoped for manner.
Still, Cathleen Taff, Disneys President of Theatrical Distribution, Franchise Management and Business & Audience Insights, is hopeful that word of mouth will help grow Dumbos prospects. “Were encouraged that this is an opportunity for families to go out and enjoy and be entertained as they head into holidays,” she says. That goes for Easter breaks while China has a big holiday coming up next Friday in Tomb Sweeping Day, though thats expected to notably propel Warner Bros Shazam! in the market.
Overall, Dumbo came in lower than pre-weekend comps like the Burton-produced Alice Through The Looking Glass, which bowed to $75M in like-for-likes and at current rates, and the live-action Cinderella which did $89M. With Dumbos $116M start worldwide, Disney does get bragging rights to the 2nd best bow for a Hollywood title of 2019, behind its own Captain Marvel.
That Brie Larson-starrer is now inches from getting to $1B globally. Currently at $990.6M, Ms Marvel will hit the mark this week. She fronts what is now the No. 10 superhero movie ever globally, and No. 9 in the genre internationally, having passed the overseas lifetime of The Dark Knight Rises. The offshore cume on Captain Marvel is $636.8M after a Read More – Source
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