The Memorial Day holiday often equates to big numbers at thebox office, with fans taking advantage of the long weekend to catch up on the biggest summer movies. Two highly-anticipated sequels will debut during this holiday frame, 20th Century Fox’sX-Men: Apocalypseand Disney’sAlice Through the Looking Glass, both arriving on May 27. Before debuting domestically,X-Men: Apocalypseopened in a number of international markets his weekend, taking in an impressive $103.3 million.
Deadlinereports thatX-Men: Apocalypsedebuted in 75 international markets this weekend, taking in $103.3 million from 20,596 screens. Thissuperhero adventurewas the top movie in 71 of the 75 international markets it opened in. The U.K. was the top market with $10.5 million, with Mexico ($8.6 million), Brazil ($6.6 million), Russia ($6.5 million) and France ($5.9 million) rounding out the top 5 international markets. The movie also earned $5 million in the IMAX format from 246 screens in 57 markets.
The movie’s international debut represents 64% of the worldwide marketplace, with key openings in Korea on May 25, North America on May 27, China on June 3 and Japan on August 11.X-Men: Apocalypsemarks the end of the studio’s prequel trilogy, following 2011’sX-Men: First Classand 2014’sX-Men: Days of Future Past. The story is set in 1983, 10 years after the events ofX-Men: Days of Future Past. Last week, as the movie was opening internationally, new details were teased about thepost-credit scene, which introduces a character from the Marvel Comics, Mister Sinister.
The story follows beloved mutantsProfessor X(James McAvoy), Mystique (Jennifer Lawrence) and Beast (Nicholas Hoult), who join forces with a number of young mutants to stop the villainous Apocalypse (Oscar Isaac). Apocalypse is the first and most powerful mutant from Marvel’sX-Menuniverse, who has amassed the powers of many other mutants, becoming immortal and invincible. Upon awakening after thousands of years, he is disillusioned with the world and recruits a team of powerful mutants, including a disheartened Magneto (Michael Fassbender), to cleanse mankind and create a new world order, over which he will reign.
As the fate of Earth hangs in the balance, Raven (Jennifer Lawrence), with the help of Professor X (James McAvoy), must lead a team of young X-Men to stop their greatest nemesis and save mankind from complete destruction. Reprising their roles fromX-Men: First ClassandX-Men: Days of Future PastareNicholas Hoult(Beast),Rose Byrne(Moira McTaggert),Evan Peters(Quicksilver). New cast members includeOscar Isaacas the villainous Apocalypse,Olivia Munnas Psylocke,Sophie TurnerasJean Grey,Alexandra Shippas Storm,Tye Sheridanas Cyclops andKodi Smit-McPheeas Nightcrawler. The movie will also mark the long awaited return ofHugh JackmanasWolverine! Be sure to check back all this week for more updates onX-Men: Apocalypsebefore it opens in theaters May 27.
