Forget the fanboys and their comic-book movies, it's time to hail a
long-neglected fan base-the mature women who kept "Mamma Mia!" on top in the
international market for the fifth week in a row.
One woman in Germany is reported to have seen the ABBA-inspired musical
romance more than 70 times.
Thanks to a top-of-the-market bow in Italy (US$2.6 million) and strong
holdovers, "Mamma Mia!" pulled in US$13.6 million over the weekend from 44
territories, lifting its foreign gross to US$377 million. After 13 weeks in
Britain, it ranks at No. 4 and has reached a market gross of US$123.2 million.
Among recent newcomers, the political thriller "Eagle Eye," added 17 markets,
recording US$8.2 million from a total of 26 markets and raising its total to
US$15 million. The Ben Stiller comedy "Tropic Thunder," pulled in US$5.1 million
from 31 markets to lift its total to US$49.2 million.
Disney launched its talking-dogs comedy "Beverly Hills Chihuahua" in five
overseas markets day-and-date with its No. 1 domestic debut, taking in US$5.1
million led by top-ranked bows in Australia (US$2.6 million) and Mexico (US$2
million).
New domestic dud "How to Lose Friends and Alienate People" grabbed the No. 1
spot in the UK with US$2 million. The Holocaust drama "The Boy in the Striped
Pyjamas" led Spain for a second weekend with a 10-day take of US$6.5 million.
In Japan, the local film "Suspect X," the big-screen spin-off of Fuji TV's
detective drama "Galileo," opened at No. 1 to an impressive US$5.2 million.
In France, Laurent Cantet's Palme D'Or winner "The Class" held on to first
place for a second weekend for a two-week take of US$6.1 million.
