'G.I. Joe' Makes A Big Hit At Box-Offices Worldwide

AUG, 10, 2009 - As expected, G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra topped the US box office last weekend with an estimated US$56.2 million (RM196 million). Worldwide, it sold about US$100.3 million (RM351.1 million) worth of tickets, distributor Paramount Pictures said yesterday.

The three-day take of US$56.2 million from the United States and Canada ranks as the fourth-highest August opening ever, and comes after the US$175 million special effects movie was besieged by bad press for months.

Reuters reports that the foreign component of US$44.1 million — from 35 markets comprising 75 per cent of international sales — was led by South Korea (US$5.6 million). The film opened at No. 1 in two countries not exactly favourable to American militarism, China (US$4.8 million) and Russia (US$4.6 million).

Julie & Julia came in second in the US with less than half of G.I. Joe's takings.

Here is the rest of the Top 5 US B-O estimated grosses for Aug 7-9, 2009 weekend, in terms of rank, Movie name, Weekend takings in USD, (Cumulative gross, USD) and week on chart, courtesy of Boxofficemojo.

1. G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra $56.2 million ($56.2 million) 1

2. Julie & Julia $20.1 million ($20.1 million) 1

3. G-Force $9.8 million ($86.1 million) 3

4. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince $8.9 million ($273.8 million) 4

5. Funny People $7.9 million ($40.4 million) 2