The global box-office kicked off the year with a rush: the new Lord of the Rings film and the Harry Potter debut together pulled in about $70 million overseas last weekend.

Both titles claimed the top two positions across major territories including the U.K., Germany, France, Spain and South Korea.

New Line’s Lord of the Rings has grossed roughly $236 million internationally, powered by a $40 million weekend from 6,000 screens in 34 territories.

Korea was the biggest recent opening for the epic, delivering $4.9 million in six days from 200 prints.

In its third weekend, Rings added $51 million in the U.K., $47.6 million in Germany, $30 million in France and $18 million in Spain.

Australia contributed $3 million from 407 screens in its sophomore frame, bringing the territory total there to $12.5 million; with openings still to come in Italy and Japan, the picture is tracking toward more than $400 million globally.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone has surged to an estimated $511.2 million worldwide after earning $30.1 million from 7,800 engagements across 50 countries last weekend.

That weekend attendance alone was about 5.6 million moviegoers, and the franchise has already moved past Phantom Menace and Independence Day on several charts, with Jurassic Park’s $563 million haul now the next target.

Regionally, Potter ranks as the second-highest grosser ever in the U.K. with $83.6 million and has amassed $60.9 million in Germany; in Japan it has reached $114.7 million (fourth all-time there).

Australia has contributed $18 million, making Potter the nation’s fifth-biggest title to date, helped by a strong holiday period beginning December 26.

Ocean’s Eleven, rolled out so far in seven markets, is enjoying early success: $318,000 from 71 sites in Thailand (toppling Rings in that market’s second weekend) and $273,000 from 30 playdates in Israel—Warner’s second-best local debut after Potter.

In Italy, Ocean’s moved into first place in its third week, earning $2.5 million from 469 screens and lifting its Italian total to $11.7 million.

Monsters, Inc. expanded its run with $5.2 million across 19 territories this frame, pushing its international cume to $38.5 million as it prepares for releases across Europe, Japan, Taiwan and Hong Kong.

Notable Monsters markets include $14.5 million in Mexico after four weeks (closing in on Potter’s $15.4 million there), $6.3 million in Australia (down just 13% in week four) and $3.3 million in Korea (down 14%).

Vanilla Sky has performed strongly in Japan—about $15 million in 16 days with a 13% weekend gain—and has taken in $3 million in South Korea in 17 days.

However, the Tom Cruise drama shows softer results elsewhere: a 48% drop in its third Australian weekend (total $3.2 million), and sizeable sophomore declines in Mexico (down 44%, $2.8 million total), Taiwan (down 62%, $968,000) and Hong Kong (down 51%, $732,000).

In Australia, the Farrelly Brothers’ Shallow Hal opened to $1.1 million from 176 screens, bringing its local running total to $1.7 million since its January 1 release.

Fox’s From Hell has found European traction, collecting $4.9 million in Italy after its third weekend as prints expanded from 164 to 192; the film had premiered at Venice and was marketed there as a stylish take on Jack the Ripper.

Finally, Fox’s actioner Behind Enemy Lines began its overseas push with $1.3 million from 319 screens in the U.K., plus solid starts in Asia: $411,000 from 82 in Taiwan, $355,000 from 32 in Hong Kong and $200,000 from 40 in Belgium.

What are the Harry Potter Movies about and Where to Watch

What are the Harry Potter Movies about and Where to Watch. The film saga follows an orphaned boy who learns he’s a wizard, grows up at Hogwarts, and faces dark forces while discovering the power of friendship, bravery, and his own fate. If you’re wondering where to watch harry potter, the movies show up on major streaming services and can be bought or rented from digital stores, though specific availability changes by region.

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