As the weekend unfolds, a variety of films are inching closer to impressive financial benchmarks at the global box office. Among these, the Marvel/Disney offering, *Captain America: Brave New World*, is on track to cross the $300 million mark globally after its second weekend. Additionally, Disney’s *Mufasa: The Lion King*, has its sights set on a staggering $700 million milestone by Monday, after ten weeks and an additional day in theaters. Not to be outdone, the Chinese animated sensation, *Ne Zha 2*, continues to break records, eyeing a remarkable $1.9 billion solely in its domestic territory after recently being crowned the highest-grossing animated film worldwide.
The latest installment in the Captain America saga, featuring Anthony Mackie and Harrison Ford, has exhibited a substantial drop of 60% in its international box office take during its sophomore outing. Excluding China, this decline was slightly lower, at 55%. The sequel has grossed an additional $35.3 million across 52 international markets, bringing its overseas total to $148.2 million and the worldwide gross to approximately $289.4 million. While this pace is consistent with earlier Marvel films—specifically *Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania* and *The Winter Soldier*—it is evident that *Brave New World* may ultimately land around $450 million globally. IMAX figures for the film are noteworthy too, showing a global total of $23.3 million, with $10.2 million earned from international markets.
The leading markets contributing to this total include the UK at $16.7 million, China at $13.5 million, Mexico at $10.7 million, South Korea at $9.1 million, and France at $8.9 million. Despite its promising start, the metrics indicate a slower trajectory than expected for the Marvel blockbuster.
In a refreshing turn, Universal/Working Title’s *Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy* has captivated international audiences with a stellar box office performance. With a remarkable gross exceeding $70 million in just over two weekends, the film has performed far better than its franchise predecessors and even outstripped competitive releases like *Ticket to Paradise* at the same juncture.
The film’s international cume currently approaches $72 million, highlighted by strong showings in 72 markets. Notably, it has secured the title of the biggest opening in 41 markets, notably shattering previous romantic comedy records in the UK. With a total of $34.5 million in just two weekends in the UK, it has eclipsed the cumulative box office of *Fifty Shades of Grey* at this stage. The film has also dominated in Australia, Poland, and the Netherlands, signifying its broad international appeal, with new markets like the Czech Republic reporting a strong opening as well.
Meanwhile, *Mufasa: The Lion King* continues to rise in the ranks of box office giants, boasting a worldwide total of $698.7 million with an impressive $453.3 million from international territories alone. As it enters its tenth weekend, the film added $4.4 million from 52 markets, setting it up to potentially cross the $700 million mark shortly. The primary markets driving this success include France, the UK, Germany, Mexico, and Italy, showcasing its universal appeal.
Competing fiercely in the box office arena is the Chinese juggernaut, *Ne Zha 2*, which has cemented its status as a cultural phenomenon. The film’s total in China has swelled to an astounding $1.87 billion, with estimates suggesting a global total nearing $1.89 billion when factoring in other international releases. The projections for its final box office take in China are equally staggering, reaching a predicted RMB 15.1 billion, or approximately $2.08 billion. In the IMAX realm, *Ne Zha 2* has also made history, claiming its position as the largest animated title released within that format, amounting to $131 million.
This weekend’s box office numbers highlight the dynamic landscape of global cinema, where established franchises and new entries alike vie for audience attention and financial triumph. The figures reveal insightful trends and potentials, promising thrilling developments as the season progresses.