'The Tourist,' 'Gulliver's Travels' cold in U.S. but hot in Russia

For "The Tourist" and "Gulliver's Travels," Russia has turned out to be much warmer than the U.S.

The action drama starring Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie and the 3-D comedy starring Jack Black enjoyed strong openings in Russia of $10.3 million and $9.5 million, respectively, this weekend. Both films, meanwhile, have been major disappointments at the domestic box office.

Although Russia has become one of the hottest foreign markets for movies in recent years, its theatrical industry is still nowhere near as developed as that of the U.S. or some other countries, including Britain, France and Germany.

Russian moviegoers seem to love both of these movies much more than Americans do. In the case of "Gulliver's Travels," its $9.5-million Russian launch was substantially larger than the meager $6.3 million it drew on its opening weekend in the U.S. and Canada. It was also the movie's second-largest international opening, behind only Britain.

20th Century Fox's "Gulliver's Travels" already has drawn $81 million overseas, more than twice its weak $34.6-million domestic total. And with most foreign markets left to go, it could end up an international success despite flopping at home.

The same doesn't appear to be true of "The Tourist," which has seen some surprisingly weak foreign performances despite its big-name stars and European setting.

Russia, however, is a notable exception. The film's opening weekend there was the biggest anywhere outside the U.S. It's so outsized, in fact, that Russia is already the second-most-successful foreign market for the film, outpacing four weeks of ticket sales in Germany and France and five in Britain. Only Italy, where much of the movie's action takes place, is bigger, at $13.1 million after four weeks.

"The Tourist" hit $100.5 million in overseas ticket sales this weekend but is already playing in most foreign countries. Although it will likely end up at least doubling domestic ticket sales, which now stand at $61.4 million, the big-budget picture financed by GK Films and released by Sony Pictures won't end up a strong international performer like Jolie's "Mr. & Mrs. Smith" or Depp's "Alice in Wonderland."

-- Ben Fritz

Photos, from top: Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie in "The Tourist." Credit: Peter Mountain / Sony Pictures. Jack Black in "Gulliver's Travels." Credit: 20th Century Fox

Comments

[AJ]

Totally wrong annalysis:
"The same doesn't appear to be true of "The Tourist," which has seen some surprisingly weak foreign performances despite its big-name stars and European setting."
I don't know why you put something totally wrong like the above.
It was one of the biggest hits for Jolie and Depp (outside family films) and it is doing better than Salt in many markets.
It already has 100,5 million international and it'll do more than 150 million (probably next to 200 million) international.
It is a hit, like it or not.

[B]

Another biased, negative report against The Tourist. This film will end up grossing at least $150m overseas. Did you forget it still hasn't opened in Japan? Where Alice in Wonderland grossed $100m+ and SALT grossed $25m?? Sorry media- Tourist is going to end up grossing $225-250m+ worldwide when all is said and done. A far cry from the bomb you in the media were all wetting your pants over a few weeks ago.

[CalGal]

I think you don't have quite the all the worldwide release dates for The Tourist. It's opening in Japan in March which has always had huge support for Depp/Jolie films. I think it could cross the $200 million mark when its run is finished. Too bad critics couldn't enjoy this film as it was a nice break for me from the Oscar bait films. But then again, the LA Times critics believe True Grit is a great film. My husband and I hated True Grit and actually rated Tourist above that one. All the criticisms directed toward Tourist could be said of True Grit as well.

[J. Sperling Reich]

Historically, both Russian and Romania have had a lot of trouble with camcorder piracy cutting into their theatrical box office revenue. It will be interesting to see if "The Tourist" and "Gulliver's Travels" have significant gross declines in their second and third weeks.

Granted, any huge drop-off in ticket sales can't be solely attributed to piracy as word-of-mouth could also be a culprit.

[deepwater805]

Da koneshno Ruskya lubit kino iz Hollywood. Eta bachimo mnoga ludi iz Russia i Ukraina tam zhit. And frankly, we're better off for it.

[Billie Briggs]

One of reasons The Tourist did well in Russia could be they did 't have obtuse critics bad mouthing it.

[Rachel]

I understand you have to write an article about "movies" in general. Why the negative article against the Tourist? If you check the box office number...the Tourist is currently at $161 M worldwide (budget $100 M)...why is this a disappointment? Is this a personal attack against the stars itself or writing negative things to get attention because this is not journalism? I don't know what is legit news anymore because our media is writing tabloids instead of checking their facts...are they getting too lazy to check or worry about getting hits on their website or making a quick buck? I hope the average American is not buying into this.

[Jaypee]

The Tourist is a light action/comedy, NOT drama.

[Reta]

The Tourist is by far, more interesting, more dramatic and much more successful than anything with Jennifer Anitson in it....sorry but I had to deflate Hollywood standards because they keep shoving Aniston's empty movies and sorry plots in our collective faces.

[cromwell matheau]

i had a great time watching the tourist despite of the negative reviews i read...the movie is fun and light...moviegoers were even clapping at the end of the film...The tourist is a must see movie to those who want to relax and laugh and not be stressed with other twisted films...

[Double Standard is US favourite sport]

Why don't you write an article about Denzel 'Unstoppable' movie bombing at home and aboad ? Aren't you disappointing that a 100 millions action trhiller that has been praised by the critics, that is out since november, can't even reach the current numbers of a light comedy like the Tourist ?

Why no media outlet about those other bombs featuring so called greater movies attached by A list stars too but still are greater bombs than The Tourist who is every producer's 'dream bomb' ?

How hypocrite american media is. it baffles my mind.