Lionsgate / Courtesy Everett Collection

UPDATE: Global audiences went gaga for Baba Yaga this weekend as Lionsgate/Thunder Road Films/87 Eleven’s John Wick: Chapter 4 grossed $137.5M in its debut. Of that, $64M is estimated from 71 international box office markets. All were No. 1 starts and cumulatively are 73% above John Wick 3 – Parabellum’s 2019 launch.

This is a fantastic debut for the fourquel – the films in the series have previously had staggered overseas rollouts and this is the widest day-and-date release internationally. The well-reviewed movie is a nice salve for theaters.

The UK was the biggest play this session with $6.7M, 56% ahead of JW3. Germany, one of the Wick movies’ most faithful, made an estimated $5.5M, good for 64% above JW3. 

Australia had the second biggest opening weekend of the year locally with an estimated $4.68M, 54% up from JW3. Already, JW4’s opening beats both JW the first and JW2’s lifetime grosses in the market.

The overseas and global numbers also include Russia which came in at an industry estimated $4.3M. Regarding that market, where the major studios paused releasing movies in the wake of the invasion of Ukraine in early 2022, Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Chair Joe Drake said the company “had prior contracts” and “obligations to meet.” He added, “There were a number of steps that we needed to take. We felt comfortable in delivering the movie and consulted talent.”

Next up, Mexico grossed an estimated $4.2M, 93% ahead of JW3. Brazil came in with an estimated $2.9M, 125% ahead of JW3. As a region, Latin America grossed an estimated $12.2M, dominating over 50% of the box office and coming in 99% ahead of JW3.

India did $3.46M, a huge 631% ahead of JW3’s opening. 

France, where retirement-age reforms have led to widespread protests and social unrest, opened with an estimated $2.69M (360K admissions), 35% ahead of JW3.

Taiwan grossed an estimated $2.4M, with JW4 accounting for 70% of the local box office this weekend. The opening is 17% over JW3. 

Philippines grossed an estimated $2M, coming in 26% ahead of JW3. And, Italy opened with an estimated $1.9M, 17% ahead of JW3. 

The Chad Stahelski-directed pic delivered $12.7M in IMAX worldwide, giving Lionsgate its 2nd best start ever in the format. Of that, $4.3M came from 282 overseas screens.

Still to open are Korea and the Middle East in April, followed by Japan in September.

In holdover play, New Line/DC/Warner Bros’ Shazam! Fury of the Gods added $12.1M from its sophomore frame in 77 markets. The offshore cume is now $56.1M for $102.4M global. France is due to release this week. The current Top 5 markets are Mexico ($7.7M), China ($5.8M), UK ($5M), Brazil ($2.5M) and Australia ($2.4M).

Paramount’s Scream VI added $5.9M in 53 markets, a 47% drop from last session. The overseas cume is now $49.4M, with $139.3M worldwide.

WB’s Creed III topped $100M internationally, now at $105M after adding $5.4M this frame. The global total to date is $245.8M with Japan still to release in late May. 

In other play, Japanese animation Suzume had a strong start in China with $49.7M while it also led Korea with $24M after three frames.

MISC UPDATED CUMES/NOTABLE

Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (UNI): $2.1M intl weekend (81 markets); $291.1M intl cume/$475.1M global
65 (SNY): $2.9M intl weekend (54 markets); $21.2M intl cume/$49M global
*Que Viva Mexico! (SNY): $1.4M intl weekend (Mexico only)
Cocaine Bear (UNI): $703K intl weekend (61 markets); $18M intl cume/$80.1M global
M3GAN (UNI): $460K intl weekend (78 markets); $81.1M intl cume/$176.1M global
*Denotes new