Michael Bay’s modestly budgeted action comedy Pain & Gain may have won the box office back home, but Iron Man 3’s amazing international debut is what has Hollywood buzzing Monday morning.
Iron Man 3 opened in 42 international markets overseas grossing $195.3 million. That’s actually better than The Avengers $185.1 million overseas debut last year, notes The Hollywood Reporter. This sudden success has already sparked conversations about the film’s chances to beat The Avengers’ $207.4 million opening weekend in North America, which is the all-time record. Some current predictions have it pegged at around $150 million when it opens on Friday. The film also hits Chinese theaters the same day.
Back home, it was a much quieter weekend at the box office. Pain & Gain only debuted to $20 million, reports BoxOfficeMojo. It also earned a C+ CinemaScore grade, so expect it to disappear in the shadow of Iron Man. The film stars Mark Wahlberg and Dwayne Johnson.
Oblivion dropped 53 percent to just $17.4 million in its second weekend. It has only made $64.3 million in 10 days, so Tom Cruise will have an uphill battle if he hopes for another $100 million film.
42 added $10.7 million while the critically trashed Big Wedding opened to $7.5 million. EW reports that The Croods rounded out the top 5 with $6.6 million. It has passed the $300 million mark worldwide and a sequel has been announced.
image: Paramount