Shrek Forever After
Shrek Forever After, the 3D fourth and final installment in the smash hit saga of the loveable green ogre, has now become the highest grossing DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. (Nasdaq: DWA) film of all time at the international box office.
The film, distributed by Paramount Pictures International, added another $4.7m to its international box office over the weekend to take the international total gross to $480.7m.
This saw the sequel surpass both previous Shrek sequels to become both the franchise’s #1 entry and DWA’s all-time highest grossing film in the international marketplace. Shrek 2 grossed $478.6m at the international box office in 2004, while Shrek The Third claimed $476.2m in 2007.
Shrek Forever After is now the #4 highest grossing animated film of all-time at the international box office and stands as the third highest grossing film released internationally in 2010.
The final film in the Shrek franchise reunited English-language voice cast Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz and Antonio Banderas alongside new cast members including Walt Dohrn, Jon Hamm and Jane Lynch under the direction of Mike Mitchell.
Shrek Forever After was the first of the popular franchise to be released in 3D it has seen 66% of international business delivered by 3D and IMAX screens.
The resulting success saw the movie record the #1 opening of all-time in Russia, Argentina and Panama; take the all-time opening record for an animated film in more than 10 markets; and enjoy DWA’s best opening in over 25 markets.
The title has gone on to become biggest animated film of all-time in Russia and Ukraine, as well as the second highest grossing film off all-time in both territories.
Russia headed international business for the sequel with a massive $50.8m local gross, ahead of the UK and Ireland with $49m.
Brazil has grossed $39.7m, leading a stunning performance across the Latin American region where Shrek Forever After became the first film in Paramount’s history to gross over $100m from the region. Its Latin American total gross currently stands at over $110m.
As well as seeing the #1 opening of all-time in Argentina and Panama, Peru boasted the second highest grossing opening of all-time with the film; Venezuela enjoyed the biggest animated opening ever; and Brazil claimed the #2 animated start of all-time.
The triumph of Shrek Forever After follows hot on the heels of the international success of DWA’s How To Train Your Dragon. The animation studio’s spring 2010 release is still on release through Paramount Pictures International and has soared off with $275m at the international box office, placing it at #8 among the year’s best performers.
DWA’s Megamind is the next 3D animated film to be released through PPI through the late autumn and winter, starting with Russia on October 28th. The film features the voice talents of Will Ferrell, Brad Pitt, Tina Fey and Jonah Hill in the English-language version; through the late autumn and winter, starting with Russia on October 28.
The Shrek franchise’s fan-favourite character Puss In Boots, voiced by Antonio Banderas, will see his own prequel adventure to be distributed by PPI in late 2011. Salma Hayek and Zach Galifianakis are also set to star.
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