Harry Potter finale writes history

China.org.cn, July 18, 2011

With an astounding estimated worldwide box office total of more than $476 million, Warner Bros. Pictures' "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2" shattered multiple domestic and international box office records in a history-making opening weekend, according to executives of Warner Bros. Pictures.

The finale of the globally beloved film series, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2" earned a stunning $168.5 million at the domestic box office, which not only is the biggest Harry Potter opening weekend but also obliterated the industry's opening weekend record, including holiday weekends. Among the other records broken were single-day box office (Friday at $92.1 million), Friday box office, and opening day box office.

Opening day-and-date in 59 territories, the international box office take was a staggering $307 million, making it the biggest international weekend of all time. Led by record-breaking grosses in the UK ($36.6 million) and Australia ($26.7 million), all markets have performed exceedingly well, including Germany ($25.7 million), France ($23.9 million) and Japan ($21.5 million).

Globally, it also broke the IMAX opening weekend record with a worldwide gross of $23.5 million, which includes setting a new record in North America with $15.5 million.

The film began breaking records even before its opening, as unprecedented advance ticket sales gave the first indication of just how huge the box office bow would be. Midnight opening screenings not only met but exceeded those expectations, with $43.5 million at the domestic box office alone.

"These numbers are amazing, but they are only part of the story," Dan Fellman, President of Domestic Distribution of Warner Bros. Pictures,?stated in a press release, "It is impossible to quantify how thrilled and grateful we all are that both critics and audiences — especially loyal Harry Potter fans — continue to support the film. This is the culmination of an extraordinary decade, and a reflection of the hard work and dedication of many, many people on both sides of the camera, beginning with the brilliant J.K. Rowling, as well as producer David Heyman. We applaud them all."

"Harry Potter is truly a cultural phenomenon the world over," Veronika Kwan-Rubinek, President of International Distribution of Warner Bros. Pictures, said, "Whether in German, French, Japanese, Russian, or any language, international audiences have embraced the Harry Potter films over the years, with the powerful finale punctuating just how special the property is. We congratulate everyone associated with the films on this monumental achievement."

"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2" is the final adventure in the Harry Potter film series. In the epic finale, the battle between the good and evil forces of the wizarding world escalates into an all-out war. The stakes have never been higher and no one is safe. But it is Harry Potter who may be called upon to make the ultimate sacrifice as he draws closer to the climactic showdown with Lord Voldemort. It all ends here.

Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson reprise their roles as Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. The film's ensemble cast also includes Helena Bonham Carter, Robbie Coltrane, Warwick Davis, Tom Felton, Ralph Fiennes, Michael Gambon, Ciarán Hinds, John Hurt, Jason Isaacs, Matthew Lewis, Gary Oldman, Alan Rickman, Maggie Smith, David Thewlis, Julie Walters and Bonnie Wright.

The film was directed by David Yates, and produced by David Heyman, David Barron and J.K. Rowling. Steve Kloves adapted the screenplay, based on the novel by J.K. Rowling. Lionel Wigram is the executive producer.

"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2" is the first Harry Potter film to be released in both 3D and 2D. Concurrently with its nationwide theatrical distribution, the film will be released in select IMAX? theatres. The film has been digitally re-mastered into the unparalleled image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience? through proprietary IMAX DMR? technology.

Opening nationwide on July 15, the film is being distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company. It has been rated PG-13 for some sequences of intense action violence and frightening images.

"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2" will hit Chinese screens on August 4.

"Transformers: Dark of the Moon," Paramount Pictures' third " Transformer" installment, continued its money-making business, and is estimated to take in 21.25 million dollars, finishing as No. 2 at the box office. It has garnered a cumulative sales totaling 302. 8 million dollars over three weeks. It will open in China on July 21.

"Horrible Bosses," a New Line/Warner Bros.dark/black comedy which features Jennifer Aniston, Jason Bateman and Colin Farrell, successfully held up at the box office derby. It is estimated to make 17.63 million dollars as No. 3 most popular films of the weekend. It has reaped 60 million dollars in two weeks.

Rounding out the top five most popular films in North America are:

"Zookeeper," 12.3 million dollars this weekend, and 42.35 million dollars in two weeks; "Cars 2," 8.3 million dollars this week which is on track to garner 165 million dollars in four weeks.

In the shadow of the Harry Potter juggernaut, Disney Animation Studios' "Winnie the Pooh" was the weekend's only release which was off to a solid start, grossing 2.9 million dollars on Friday and grabbed 8 million dollars in movie ticket sales from 2,405 locations during Friday-Sunday time frame. The fifth theatrical film released and the second from the Walt Disney Animation Studios, the animated family film, which was inspired by three A. A. Milne stories, looks like it's succeeding in luring tots too young for the PG-13 Potter. It received an A- CinemaScore, with those under 18 giving it an A+.