Ridley Scott’s latest historical epic, “Napoleon,” may not have clinched the top spot in North America, but it has emerged victorious on the global stage. Starring Joaquin Phoenix as the iconic French ruler, the film made an impressive debut, raking in $78.8 million worldwide. The international box office contributed significantly, with $46.3 million, allowing “Napoleon” to claim the lead on global charts.
Joaquin Phoenix takes the crown. Watch the new trailer for #Napoleon, from acclaimed director Ridley Scott. See it in Premium Large Formats, Screen X, 70mm and IMAX this Thanksgiving. pic.twitter.com/QHqtTSmptf
— Napoleon (@NapoleonMovie) October 18, 2023
While the film secured its reign at the global box office, it landed in the second spot domestically, generating $33.1 million in its first five days of release. The top position in North America was claimed by “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,” a prequel to “The Hunger Games,” which brought in $68.8 million over the weekend, including an international contribution of $26.2 million. Despite this, “Napoleon” has firmly established itself as a formidable force in the worldwide market.
The film, with a $200 million production cost, has received mixed reviews and audience scores. However, Apple, the film’s backer, and Sony Pictures, its theatrical distributor, seem unfazed by the financial aspects. Similar to Apple’s strategy with Martin Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon,” the company aims to build anticipation for the eventual release on Apple TV+ and potentially garner awards attention.
Internationally, “Napoleon” outperformed Scott’s previous films, “Killers of the Flower Moon” and “House of Gucci,” doubling their debuts at the same points in their theatrical rollouts. The U.K. led the way with $6.6 million over five days, followed by France, despite critical reviews and a contentious response from Ridley Scott, with $5.6 million. Other notable territories include Germany ($3.4 million), Italy ($3.1 million), and Mexico ($2.9 million). The film is yet to open in major markets like China, Japan, and South Korea.
Meanwhile, Disney’s animated feature, “Wish,” made its debut with $17.3 million from 27 international markets, constituting around 40% of its eventual overseas footprint. However, the film’s global performance fell short, earning a disappointing $49 million in its opening weekend against a $200 million budget. This marks Disney’s second consecutive setback following “The Marvels,” raising questions about the company’s recent box office endeavours.
In contrast, “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” has proven its staying power, accumulating $197.2 million globally to date. Despite its $100 million production cost, the film’s ticket sales haven’t matched the original series, leaving the prospect of future sequels and spinoffs in question.
While “Napoleon” may not have dominated domestically, its global triumph solidifies its presence as a major player in the competitive film landscape, setting the stage for potential success on streaming platforms and awards circuits.
