“Independence Day: Resurgence” tops foreign box office

PanARMENIAN.Net - “Independence Day: Resurgence” topped the foreign box office, racking up $40.2 million from 64 overseas markets, Variety reports.

Fox’s alien invasion sequel sputtered in its domestic release, making $72.6 million over its first ten days. By way of contrast, the first “Independence Day” racked up $135.4 million over the same period, and that was 20 years ago. But foreign audiences are helping to make up some of the shortfall.

The science-fiction thriller has earned $66.1 million in China, $13.5 million in the United Kingdom, $11.5 million in Mexico and $10.3 million in South Korea. There are still several foreign territories left to open, including Japan, Germany and France. Globally, “Independence Day: Resurgence” has generated $249.7 million. The film brings back original director Roland Emmerich, along with cast members Bill Pullman and Jeff Goldblum, but the producers failed to convince Will Smith to return to defend Earth from extraterrestrial attack.

Disney’s “Finding Dory” swam to second place, adding $34.4 million to its haul. The film opened in first place in Brazil with $7.1 million, continued to draw crowds in China where its $36.2 million ranks as a best ever showing for a Pixar film, and topped charts in Australia for a third consecutive weekend to take its gross Down Under to $22.6 million. Globally, the “Finding Nemo” sequel has made $538.2 million.

Paramount’s “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows” nabbed third place on the foreign charts with $30.5 million thanks largely to its debut in China. The action sequel picked up $26.1 million in the Middle Kingdom and seemed to benefit from the investment of Chinese firms such as Alibaba Pictures. The second “Ninja Turtles” has made $188.7 million worldwide.

Lionsgate’s “Now You See Me 2” and Fox’s “Ice Age: Collision Course” rounded out the top five, racking up $20.8 million and $20 million, respectively. The second “Now You See Me” has generated $214.3 million since opening last month. The fifth installment in the “Ice Age” franchise got a jump on its domestic release, bowing in seven foreign markets, including Mexico, Germany and Australia. It lands in North American theaters on July 22.