Ridley Scott’s highly anticipated film, Napoleon, has taken the world by storm, surpassing all expectations at the box office. With an estimated gross of $21 million worldwide as of Thursday, the action epic is now projected to have a five-day global opening of $70 million to $73 million, with $40 million coming from the international market. These remarkable numbers far exceed the initial predictions made prior to the film’s release.
On Wednesday, Napoleon premiered in eight overseas markets, including France and the UK. Surprisingly, the film chose a non-traditional release day for its UK debut. Nevertheless, the strategy proved successful, and the movie gained momentum. The following day, Napoleon expanded its release to an additional 40 markets, bringing its initial international tally to $8.9 million over just two days.
Majors such as Oz, Brazil, Germany, Italy, and Mexico joined the Napoleon bandwagon on Thursday, launching the film as the number one release in all these markets. As of now, the film is set to hit a total of 56 hubs, encompassing 85% of its international footprint for the weekend. Noteworthy markets still to come include China, Japan, and Korea, which will see the film released on various dates throughout December.
Leading the pack in terms of box office performance are the UK and France, with earnings of $1.75 million and $1.74 million respectively. Despite receiving a less than favorable critical score of 2.9 on AlloCiné, the French audience has shown tremendous support for the film. This surprising success has defied expectations, given the earlier reviews.
Ridley Scott, known for his confidence and resilience, responded to the initial negative reviews with his customary swagger. “The French don’t even like themselves,” he boldly told the BBC. This unapologetic attitude is a testament to his unwavering belief in his work, which has clearly resonated with audiences worldwide.
As the film continues to make waves at the global box office, industry experts predict that the mature European markets will play a significant role in Napoleon’s success. The strong start in France suggests that the film has struck a chord with audiences and may enjoy continued success throughout its theatrical run.
With major markets still to come, such as China, Japan, and Korea, it is likely that Napoleon’s international earnings will continue to soar. Despite the initial critical reception, the film’s commercial success proves that audiences are drawn to the epic scale and visual mastery that Ridley Scott is renowned for.
Ridley Scott’s Napoleon has defied expectations and exceeded all projections in its global opening. The film’s strong performance in international markets, particularly in France, signals a promising future and a testament to Scott’s unmistakable directorial prowess. As the film continues its theatrical journey, it is poised to leave an indelible mark on cinema history.