America can't get enough of Mr. Grey, it appears the rest of the world can't either.
Sam Taylor-Johnson's “Fifty Shades of Grey” has earned an estimated $94.4 million four the four-day President's Day weekend. That is much higher than what box office watchers expected even yesterday. On Sunday, the original three-day estimate for “Fifty Shades” was $81.6 million. In a very rare occurrence, “Fifty Shades” over performed earning $85 million for its first three days. These tallies make it the no. 1 February opening weekend of all-time as well as the no. 1 President's Day weekend opener. Even more impressive is how the Universal Pictures released whipped the competition globally.
“Fifty Shades” earned an estimated $172 million overseas from Wednesday through end of day. For Wednesday through Sunday it took in $156 million, a record setting gross internationally for February. It's also the second biggest international opening for Universal after “Fast & Furious 6” took in $160.3 million a little under two years ago. Globally, “Grey's” take now stands at $266.3 million. Taking into account a $40 million production budget and marketing costs, “Fifty Shades” already a massive hit for the studio.
The weekend's other new arrival, Matthew Vaughn's “Kingsman: The Secret Service,” slightly over performed with $36.2 million for the three-day (versus a $35.6 million estimate). It's expected to end up with $42 million by end of day. Combined with $43.8 million internationally that's an $85 global gross for the 20th Century Fox release. It's a great start for an action flick that cost a reported $81 million. In case you're curious, it's also the biggest domestic opening of Colin Firth's career.
Other four-day holiday weekend estimates include $40 million for “The Spongbob Movie” ($103.1 million so far), $19.4 million for “American Sniper” ($307.1 million so far) and $10.6 million for “Jupiter Ascending” ($33.8 million to date).
New releases on Friday include “Hot Tub Time Machine 2,” “The DUFF” and “McFarland, USA.”