‘Garfield’ Opens to $22 Million Overseas

Sony’s animated “The Garfield Movie” scratched up $22 million in its international box office debut. It’s currently only playing in 18 markets, roughly 35% of its eventual overseas footprint, so those ticket sales represent a promising start for the family film.

“The Garfield Movie” doesn’t open in the U.S. and Canada until Memorial Day weekend on May 24. When it does land in domestic theaters, it’s projected to earn $35 million over the long weekend and will compete for first place with director George Miller’s “Mad Max” prequel “Furiosa.”

Overseas, “The Garfield Movie” enjoyed the biggest start in Spain with $3.2 million over five days, followed by Brazil with $2.2 million, Italy with $1.6 million and Peru with $1.3 million. According to the studio, revenues for the film are pacing 76% above fellow kid-friendly film “DC League of Super Pets” (which eventually earned $113 million internationally) and 41% higher than “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” (which started slow but eventually earned a huge $295 million internationally). Ticket sales are currently on par with “The Secret Life of Pets 2” (which ended its overseas run with $272 million) for the same group of markets at current exchange rates. “Garfield” will continue to roll out in key international territories throughout the summer.

Chris Pratt leads the voice cast of “The Garfield Movie” as the orange feline who famously hates Mondays and loves lasagna. After a chance reunion with his long-lost father — a scruffy street cat named Vic (voiced by Samuel L. Jackson) — Garfield and his canine friend Odie are forced from their pampered indoor life to join Vic on a high-stakes heist.

“Garfield” took second place on international charts behind Universal’s “The Fall Guy,” an action-comedy starring Emily Blunt and Ryan Gosling. The film, directed by David Leitch, added $25.4 million from 78 markets, bringing its overseas tally to $36.9 million. Those returns are similar to Letich’s prior film, 2022’s “Bullet Train” (which ended its international run with $135 million) and Paramount’s Sandra Bullock-led action rom-com “The Lost City” (which ended its international run with $87 million) at the same point in their theatrical runs.

Though it’s already been playing at the international box office, “The Fall Guy” opened this weekend in North America with $28.5 million, just below expectations. It has grossed $65.4 million globally, which is troubling because the film cost $140 million. It needs strong word of mouth and interest from overseas audiences to recoup its budget during its theatrical run.

Elsewhere at the international box office, “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” added $9.8 million from 78 markets. It brings the tentpole to $358.8 million overseas and a mighty $546.9 million globally after six weeks of release.