“Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” racked up the fourth-biggest global opening in history, earning a massive $424.1 million after debuting in almost every major foreign country over the weekend.
The superhero matchup launched to $254 million overseas from 66 markets, including China, where it grossed $57.3 million, the best ever debut for a Warner Bros. release. The enthusiastic response from foreign crowds is good news for the studio, which is counting on “Batman v Superman” to kick off a universe of movie sequels and spinoffs featuring DC Comics characters.
Originally intended to debut in May, Warner Bros. moved “Batman v Superman” to the spring to steer clear of Marvel’s “Captain America: Civil War” and to exploit a period on the calendar that lacks many top-shelf franchise films.
“Fans around the world have embraced the movie,” said Jeff Goldstein, Warner Bros. distribution executive vice president. “The beauty of moving our date is that strategically it allowed us to open up around the world at the same time and in a time frame where there’s not a lot of competition.”
The scheduling paid off, with “Batman v Superman” ranking as the biggest global debut for a superhero film, as well as the second best ever for a Warner Bros. release, behind “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2’s” $483.2 million launch.
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Among notable territories, the film bowed to $21.9 million in the United Kingdom; $18.6 million in Mexico; $12.2 million in Brazil; $10.5 million in Korea; $10 million in Australia; and $8.5 million in Russia.
Domestically, “Batman v Superman” dominated the Easter box office, earning $170.1 million to set a new record for a March debut.
