More Than Meets the Eye: Blockbuster Transforms Record Books

More Than Meets the Eye: Blockbuster Transforms Record Books

LONDON, July 9/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- TRANSFORMERS saw a record-destroying launch in North America at the weekend that was complemented by a stunning second international weekend.

The domestic records started to fall as it launched on Tuesday (July 3) to become the biggest Tuesday on record (US$27.5m). The action blockbuster then stormed into the traditionally tough July 4 holiday rising day-on-day to take US$29.1m - setting the all-time record for the holiday ahead of SPIDER- MAN 2's US$21.9m.

The three-day (July 6-8) weekend saw the behemoth add US$70.9m. This brings the colossal six-day total (including Monday July 2 previews) to US$155.8m - cracking yet another record to become the biggest first week for a non-sequel in history. The result beat 2002's SPIDER-MAN which recorded US$151.6m in its launch week.

The second international weekend for TRANSFORMERS saw it breaking more records for director Michael Bay and Paramount. A US$46.7m weekend welcomed 19 new European territory launches while enjoying excellent holds in the Asia Pacific markets that opened it June 28.

A phenomenal second weekend in Korea headed the film's weekend business dropping off a mere 10% week-on-week for a US$11.8m weekend and a US$29.3m total gross in ther territory after 11 days. The film dominated the Korean market with a 74% market share at the weekend and has already sold over four million tickets, the second fastest film in history to achieve the landmark.

Russia's US$7.1m launch set an all-time record for Michael Bay and was Paramount's second biggest opening of all time, to head the weekend for new launch territories. Spain followed with a US$4.6m weekend.

TRANSFORMERS is already fast approaching the US$100m mark in International box office, currently standing on US$96.7m. Worldwide the film has already surpassed the US$250m mark, with a total gross of US$252.5m.

This marks a phenomenal start to TRANSFORMERS' worldwide release with many numerous international territories yet to open, including many major markets. Amongst those still to come are: Mexico, Brazil and South Africa (July 20); France and Belgium (July 25); the United Kingdom (July 27); Germany (August 2); and Japan (August 4).

TRANSFORMERS stars Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, Josh Duhamel, Tyrese Gibson, Jon Voight and John Turturro, alongside the voice talents of Peter Cullen, Hugo Weaving and Keith David.

TRANFORMERS will open across the UK and Ireland on Friday, July 27th.

Distributed by Paramount Pictures UK.

Images available via: www.image.net

Source: Paramount Pictures (UK)

For further information please contact: Debbie Turner, Head of Publicity, PPUK, T: +44-(0)20-7534-5221, debbie_turner@paramount.com or Jenny Erwood, Publicity Manager, PPUK, T: +44-(0)20-7534-5235, jenny_erwood@paramount.com

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Profile: International Entertainment