"Shrek 3" evergreen at foreign box office
LOS ANGELES - "Shrek the Third" reclaimed the No. 1 spot at the foreign box office with an estimated weekend haul of $17.2 million, lifting its overseas total to $436 million.
The animated film, which began its overseas rollout May 17, posted No. 1 debuts in Italy($10.8 million), Norway($1.9 million), Denmark($1.8 million) and Sweden($1.4 million). It was playing in 24 territories.
"The Bourne Identity"finished second with $15.1 million. The action sequel enjoyed six No. 1 openings, led by Australiawith $5.1 million.
"Bourne" led Britain for a third consecutive weekend with$4.6 million, and also retained the lead in Spainand New Zealand. With 24 more territories yet to play over the next three months, "Bourne" has earned $75 million overseas. It opens in Mexicoon Friday.
Third for the weekend was "Ratatouille," which consumed an$10.1 million from 30 territories, lifting its international total to $189 million. Not surprisingly, given its Parisian setting, it led the French box office for a fifth consecutive weekend, tallying $51 million.
"The Simpsons Movie"finished fourth, with $7.7 million from 49 markets. Homer and company have racked up $303.2 million in foreign sales, led by $74.9 million from the U.K.
"Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix"was fifth, after whipping up $6.5 million from 58 markets. Its international gross rose to $625 million.