“Star Trek Beyond” has launched impressively in China in first place with a $31.3 million opening weekend at 6,526 locations, seven weeks after its U.S. debut.
The Chinese result is 107% above 2013’s “Star Trek Into Darkness” and 30% above “Jason Bourne.” “Star Trek Beyond” grossed $37 million this weekend from 40 markets including a $1.7 million opening in Brazil and and $1.4 million in Venezuela, pushing its international total to $131.1 million.
“Star Trek Beyond” handily led the international box office for the weekend, which did not see any other major openings. China is already the top international market for “Star Trek Beyond,” followed by the U.K. with $20 million and Germany with $15 million. Upcoming releases include Argentina and Mexico next weekend and Japan on Oct. 21.
The Paramount Pictures-Skydance production received financial backing from China-based Alibaba Pictures Group and Huahua Media, which has been promoting “Star Trek Beyond” through “Happy Camp,” one of China’s top rating TV variety shows, backed by Hunan Broadcasting. Huahua also rounded up close to 100 other local businesses as partners on the movie. Notable among these was China International Broadcasting Network, giving it access to apps, ISPs and streaming services.
“Star Trek Beyond” has now grossed $285 million worldwide, including $154 million in the U.S. The numbers have lagged “Star Trek Into Darkness,” which took in $466 million worldwide, including $232 million in the U.S. and $234 million internationally — the first time that the foreign total topped the domestic.
Paramount is already developing another “Star Trek” movie with Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto reprising their roles as Captain James T. Kirk and Commander Spock with Chris Hemsworth playing George Kirk, the father of Pine’s character.
