Update On SPIDER-MAN And ICE AGE 4 Opening Overseas And An Impressive Run For MIB3

It always kind of bothered me that so many websites take the domestic tally at the box office as the primary measurement of success for a movie. Clearly that's wrong and yet so many still only cite domestic take as if it was the only one. Heck Canada is a foreign country and yet is thrown in with the domestic take.

That should soon fade away I hope as the international box office plays a larger and larger role. The studios have finally recognized it and have begun releasing their tentpoles in foreign countries weeks if not months prior to North American venues.

Take ICE AGE: CONTINENTAL DRIFT which took in am impressive $78m and first place in ALL of its markets. Fox's marketing overseas has been done very well yet again, like with the "Sid Shuffle" being shot all over the world.


Or how about THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN which opened with $50.2 - it is doing better than THE AVENGERS in South Korea (which also opened overseas first). SPIDER-MAN also had the highest ever Hollywood launch in India ($6m) thanks to the appearance of Irrfan Khan, a Bollywood star.

Want more proof? How about MEN IN BLACK 3. It has grossed a HUGE $429.8m overseas and what did it do domestically so far? $169.6m. Clearly the foreign market is MORE important than domestic for some movies. MIB3 is now the highest grossing of its franchise.

We'll continue to watch these tentpoles as they open in more markets, including North America. SPIDER-MAN opens tomorrow here (midnight screenings tonight - free posters!) and ICE AGE 4 on July 13.

Stat source: Box Office Mojo

Watch: ICE AGE: CONTINENTAL DRIFT - "The Sid Shuffle"

Do you guys get the feeling that ICE AGE: CONTINENTAL DRIFT is going to be a huge global success? I do... :-)

Must Watch: New Trailer For ICE AGE 4: CONTINENTAL DRIFT

Think this one is going to make big money? Yep. Considering that Fox's ICE AGE franchise has gone 3D and the last one did in the ballpark of $900m worldwide, you could say this is a sure thing.

As much as I quite despise Ray Romano and his voice (yeah why? I don't know, he just doesn't agree with me) I had a TON O' FUN with the last one in 3D, so definitely bring it on. In fact, it's my most anticipated 3D animation of 2012.

Here's the storyline for the ICE AGE: CONTINENTAL DRIFT:
Scrat’s nutty pursuit of the cursed acorn, which he’s been after since the dawn of time, has world-changing consequences – a continental cataclysm that triggers the greatest adventure of all for Manny, Diego and Sid. In the wake of these upheavals, Sid reunites with his cantankerous Granny, and the herd encounters a ragtag menagerie of seafaring pirates determined to stop them from returning home.

And don't forget about the new SIMPSONS 3D short that will pre-roll in front of ICE AGE: CONTINENTAL DRIFT! The short is entitled THE LONGEST DAYCARE and will be in the 4 minute duration range focusing on, you guessed it, Maggie. Can't wait to see the Springfield crew in three dimensions!

ICE AGE: CONTINENTAL DRIFT opens July 13.

Watch: Scrat's ICE AGE 4 Featurette Parodies THE ARTIST!

Those of you (and there are many!) who love the ICE AGE franchise will love this featurette too. The movie's creative artists have adapted some past clips to black & white and have added some silent movie touches to mimic Oscar nominee THE ARTIST.

Interesting approach. Nothing really new as far as clips are concerned as far as I can see, but I like that the movie marketeers are so in tune with current industry events. You don't see the other animations out this year doing such clever pieces (not yet anyway).

ICE AGE: CONTINENTAL DRIFT opens July 13.

Enjoy the clip!

MUST SEE: Fox Unleashes Part 2 Of SCRAT'S CONTINENTAL CRACK UP Promo For ICE AGE 4

Oh that ridiculous squirrel! He's back for more. If you will remember, Fox released the first part of this early marketing carrot back in January and now we get to see how it all turns out in the end. Surely he gets his acorn back!

Here's what happens in the second episode:
Scrat’s nutty pursuit of the cursed acorn, which he’s been after since the dawn of time, has world-changing consequences – a continental cataclysm that triggers the greatest adventure of all for Manny, Diego and Sid. In the wake of these upheavals, Sid reunites with his cantankerous Granny, and the herd encounters a ragtag menagerie of seafaring pirates determined to stop them from returning home.

To get you started here's the first one again:



And finally, here's SCRAT'S CONTINENTAL CRACK-UP PART 2:




LOVE IT! I can't imagine a better character to have in your marketing arsenal than Scrat. Someone deserves a raise... :-)

Another ICE AGE Is Coming! July 13, 2012...

Jim here. Variety says that 20th Century Fox will release ICE AGE: CONTINENTAL DRIFT on July 13, 2012 and that it will be in stereoscopic 3D.

Who didn't see this one coming with ICE AGE: DAWN OF THE DINOSAUR taking in an astounding $884,784,626 last year? What was truly interesting was that 78% of the take was overseas. This franchise prints its own money.

I really enjoyed IA:DD in 3D so I expect much more of the same with IA:CD! Who didn't like the squirrels??