‘Venom’ Grabs $69 Million From International Markets

By Dave McNary

LOS ANGELES (Variety.com) – Tom Hardy’s “Venom” remained a potent player internationally in its second weekend, grabbing $69.7 million with first-place finishes in 54 markets at 20,100 screens.

Sony’s superhero saga has now taken in $235.3 million in a dozen days from overseas markets and is tracking 32% ahead of “Ant-Man and the Wasp” and 12% ahead of “Doctor Strange” for the same group of markets at the same point in release. It’s also won the domestic box office twice for a worldwide total of $378.1 million.

France was the top market for “” as it launched in first with $6.7 million (including previews), topping the openings of “Ant-Man and the Wasp” and “Wonder Woman.” Vietnam also generated a first-place opening with $3 million for “Venom,” as did Thailand with $2.2 million.

Russia led the way among holdover markets with $5.5 million, followed by Brazil with $4.7 million, Mexico with $4.5 million, South Korea with $4.4 million, Australia with $2.8 million, and Germany with $2.6 million. “Venom” will open in Japan on Nov. 2. It has not yet been given a release date in China.

Warner Bros.’ “A Star Is Born” took in $20.2 million in 65 markets to lift the the international total to $41.2 million in two weeks for the Lady Gaga-Bradley Cooper romance-drama. Italy led the way with $2 million on 589 screens, followed by Brazil with $1.4 million at 501 sites.

Warner Bros.’ animated comedy “Smallfoot” took in $14 million from 58 markets, lifting its international total to $52 million. Universal’s spy spoof “Johnny English Strikes Again” finished with $11 million in 56 markets to lift its worldwide total to $82 million. The third “Johnny” title opens in the U.S. on Oct. 26.

Universal’s space saga “First Man” launched with $8.6 million in 22 markets, led by the UK with $3.1 million and Australia with $1.7 million. The studio said the performance was strong across Saturday and Sunday, thanks to the Ryan Gosling vehicle connecting with “quality-driven” audiences.

Hong Kong action film “Project Gutenberg,” starring Chow Yun-fat and Aaron Kwok, was the top performer on the international charts other than “Venom” with $22.3 million from six markets, lifting the overall take to $138.6 million. Felix Chong directed from his own script.