GLOBAL: 'Les Misérables' Reaches $116.2 Million

LES MISÉRABLES played at 1,698 dates in eight territories this weekend inAustralia, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Hungary and Spain.

            3-Day weekend estimate = $38.3 million

            International cume = $48.7 million

International Highlights include:

LES MISÉRABLES opened No. 1 in Korea (beating the opening for THE HOBBIT) where it has grossed $20.1 million at 599 dates in six days with previews.  It’s the biggest musical opening of all time in Korea, Universal’s biggest opening day ever and Universal’s biggest film of the year. 

In Hong Kong, LES MIS opened No. 1 (also beating the opening for THE HOBBIT) with $1.6 million at 31 dates including previews.  It has set the record for the biggest opening ever for a musical.  

Japan moved into its second weekend and held strong at No. 1 amongst MPAA studios, with $3 million at 351 dates and a 10-day total of $13.5 million.  It is dominating the major studios’ films with 50% market share. 

Australia opened on Boxing Day, Dec. 26, which is the biggest movie-going day of the year and set the record as the biggest opening day ever for a musical.  LES MIS is the biggest opening day for a Russell Crowe film in Australia and the biggest opening day for a Working Title production.  It has grossed a terrific $8.3 million at 241 dates in five days plus previews.      

The majority of the international rollout will continue in 2013 with the U.K. and Ireland opening January 11. 

Friday (12/28) Update: From Universal:

LES MISÉRABLES grossed $3.8 million internationally on Thurs., Dec. 27 and raised the overseas total to $32.2 million. Combined with the U.S. 3-day gross of $39.4 million, the worldwide total currently stands at $71.6M.

Internationally, LES MIS is playing in Australia, Hong Kong, Hungary, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore and Spain. Highlights include:

Hungary opened yesterday grossing $38k and placing 2nd behind The Hobbit.

Australia grossed $1.3M for a 2-day plus previews total of $4.5M. It moved ahead of Wreck It Ralph to take over the No. 2 spot behind The Hobbit.

Japan grossed $860k on Thurs. and raised the 7-day total to $9.5M. The film is still No. 1 of the Hollywood films at the box office with 50% market share.

Korea grossed $881k on Thurs. for a 9-day total of $15M.

The rest of the international will release in 2013 including the U.K. and Ireland on Jan. 11.

Thursday (12/27) Update: From Universal:

LES MISÉRABLES grossed $5M internationally on Wednesday, December 26, raising the overseas total to $28.3M. Combined with the North American 2-day estimated gross of $30.3M, the worldwide total is $58.6M.

The film is now playing in Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore and Spain.

Australia opened yesterday with $1.9M and set the record as the biggest opening day ever for a musical, 45% bigger than the opening day of MAMMA MIA! It was also the biggest opening day for a Russell Crowe film and the biggest opening day for a Working Title production.

Hong Kong reports that in addition to applause at the end, some people are rushing out to the box office to buy tickets for the next day. A lot of "Must Watch Again" comments online.

Japan added $1.2M on Wed. and raised the 6-day total to $8.6M. LES MIS is still No. 1 of the Hollywood films and is dominating the box office with 53% market share.

Korea grossed $925k on Wed. for an 8-day total of $14.1M.

Spain grossed $640k on Wed. and raised the 2-day total to an excellent $1.5M.

We open in Hungary today. The rest of the international will release in 2013 including the U.K. and Ireland on Jan. 11.

Wednesday (12/26) Update: From Universal:

LES MISERABLES is off to a record-breaking start with outstanding openings and previews in 7 international territories. The film is currently playing in Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore and Spain. The international gross as of Dec. 25 is $23.4M. Combined with the U.S. opening day estimated gross of $18.2M, the worldwide total is $41.6M. LES MIS has enjoyed sold-out shows in numerous locations and enthusiastic applause at the end of the film has been reported. Like the U.S., word of mouth and social buzz are positive and spreading around the world.

LES MIS had the No. 1 opening in Korea grossing $8.6M for the weekend. This marks Universal's biggest opening of all time in Korea; the biggest musical opening of all-time; the biggest Hugh Jackman opening of all-time as well as the biggest Russell Crowe opening of all-time in that territory. LES MIS was bigger than the opening of THE HOBBIT and Universal's 2nd biggest opening weekend ever behind THE MUMMY 2. The 7-day total including previews is $13.2M.

In Japan, LES MIS is No. 1 of the Hollywood films. The weekend gross of $4.5M is bigger than the opening of THE HOBBIT and at the same level as MAMMA MIA! The 5-day total is $7.3M. LES MIS was the No. 2 opening in Spain on Christmas Day with $850k, which is also on the same level as MAMMA MIA!

Australia has had 3 days of previews, grossing $1.3M from limited sessions. The film opens officially today and early results indicate that it will be the biggest opening day ever for a musical, 45% bigger than the opening day of MAMMA MIA!; the biggest opening day for a Russell Crowe film and the biggest opening day for a Working Title production along with being Universal's 4th biggest opening day of all time.

Hong Kong grossed $194k and set the record as the biggest opening day for a musical of all time and the biggest Russell Crowe opening day of all time. The total with previews is $536k. Malaysia and Singapore opened strong on Christmas and have grossed $41k and $186k, respectively.

We open in Hungary tomorrow and will continue our international rollout in 2013 including the U.K. and Ireland on Jan. 11.