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By Dave McNary
LOS ANGELES, March 4, (Variety.com) - Disney-Marvel's "BlackPanther" has grossed an impressive $56.2 million in its thirdweekend in about 86 percent of international markets, liftingthe superhero tentpole to $396.6 million overseas.
"Black Panther," starring Chadwick Boseman as the king of afictional African nation, now has a worldwide total of $897.7million through Sunday. It's about to become the fifth title inthe Marvel Cinematic Universe to cross the $900 million mark,joining "The Avengers" at $1.52 billion, "Avengers: Age ofUltron" at $1.4 billion, "Iron Man 3" at $1.2 billion and"Captain America: Civil War" at $1.15 billion.
In less than three weeks, "Black Panther" has become 47thhighest grosser worldwide and the 10th highest domestic grosserof all time with $501.1 million.
The blockbuster has grossed $12.9 million in Russia aftergoing wide on Feb. 26, surpassing the entire runs for "Ant-Man,""Captain America: Winter Soldier," "Justice League" and "WonderWoman." In Japan, "Black Panther" opened as the top westernrelease, earning $4.2 million.
European grosses declined only 37 percent from last weekenddespite some cinema closures due to the heavy winter storms,with strong holds in Netherlands (-13 percent), France (-18percent), Israel (-26 percent), Germany (-28 percent), Sweden(-30 percent), Switzerland (-31 percent), Finland (-32 percent),Norway (-34 percent) and Spain (-35 percent).
The Asia-Pacific region (excluding new openers Russia andJapan) saw a decline of 53 percent from last weekend. LatinAmerica saw a decline of 36 percent from last weekend as "BlackPanther" remained number one in all markets.
China will see the final international opening next weekend.The most recent Disney-Marvel title, "Thor: Ragnarok," performedsolidly in China with $112 million.
The U.K. has led the way for "Black Panther" on the foreignfront with $49.1 million, followed by South Korea with $41.4million, Brazil with $24.9 million, Australia with $27.3million, Mexico with $22 million and France with $21 million.
Jennifer Lawrence's spy thriller "Red Sparrow" opened with$26.5 million from 8,744 screens in 65 international markets inits debut weekend for Fox. The film scored first place in 10markets including Taiwan with $2.4 million, Spain with $2million and Italy with $1.5 million.
Fox's "The Shape of Water," which has a leading 13 AcademyAward nominations, took in $9.1 million from 4,419 screens in 49markets. Its international total has hit $69 million with sixadditional market releases coming up including China on March16.
Fox's "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri," which hasseven Oscar nominations, grossed $5.5 million from 3,685 screensin 44 markets, including a China opening of $2.4 million from815 screens. The international total has hit $79 million withfour international markets still to come.
Hugh Jackman's "The Greatest Showman" brought in $5.3million from 1,649 screens in 25 markets. The Fox title hastotaled $211.2 million internationally.