‘It Ends With Us’ Launches Overseas; Aims for $70M+ Worldwide Debut

EXCLUSIVE: As it lights up the domestic box office, Sony and Wayfarer Studios’ It Ends with Us is also off to a dynamic start overseas. Out in just 68% of the international box office landscape, the Blake Lively-starrer grossed $13.3M through Friday in 42 markets. This indicates an offshore weekend debut of $27M-$30M, aiming for a worldwide range of $72M-$79M.

The female-driven $25M-budget romance drama has become an event movie in the markets where it has opened this weekend. Notably, it saw launch days that were 73% above The Fault in Our Stars, more than double A Star is Born and Little Women, over triple Anyone But You, and more than four times Sony’s own sleeper from summer 2022, Where the Crawdads Sing. These comparisons are all in like-for-like markets at current exchange rates.

The top markets through Friday include the UK ($2.4M), Australia ($2.4M), Brazil ($1.5M), Mexico ($1M) and Sweden ($725K). The Middle East as a whole stands at $720K.

Fans of the source novel by Colleen Hoover, as well as newcomers to the IP, are turning out in impressive numbers. Notably, back in 2014, Fault in Our Stars became a phenomenon, especially in Brazil, serving as perfect counter-programming to the World Cup in that host country. It Ends with Us fills a similar niche for female moviegoers. Additionally, Blake Lively’s cameo in her husband Ryan Reynolds’ box office smash Deadpool & Wolverine adds a unique angle.

The latter film is set to win the global weekend again, as it nears joining the $1B club. The numerous red carpet photo-ops for Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds have undoubtedly boosted It Ends with Us’s profile. However, the film is clearly standing on its own merits, performing well even in markets where the book is not as well known. It’s a case of serendipity and savvy scheduling.

Markets still to open throughout August include France, Germany, Italy, and China. Denmark—where Blake Lively attended a premiere last night—releases in early September. Additionally, Korea, Japan, and most of Southeast Asia are yet to come.

Source: Deadline