'Ice Age 4' Foreign Debut Breaking Records

Twentieth Century Fox's Ice Age 4: Continental Drift doesn't open in the U.S. until July 13th. But the 3D toon earned $11M from Wednesday and Thursday openings among only 12 of the 37 international markets releasing this weekend with #1 openings. Highlights included biggest industry animated opening day of all-time in Sweden and Peru; 2nd highest industry animated opening day of all-time in France, Colombia, Argentina and Chile; and Fox's biggest animated opening day ever in Central America. Overall, it's opening on about 8,500 screens, including 4,200 3D screens, this weekend. Fox won't release full numbers until Sunday. But this foreign release includes 5 of the Top 12 markets like Australia, Brazil, France, Mexico and Spain. Fox is quick to note that this release has fewer than half the screens and markets of the day & date release of Ice Age 3 back in July 2009. And an even smaller percentage (less than 50%) of international market share releasing this weekend. So overall comparisons to the opening weekend of Ice Age 3 will be made on a territory by territory basis. In addition, this late June opening weekend puts many of days outside of summer school holidays in France, Belgium, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, etc. More results:

France: On Wednesday it was #1 in the market. Best opening day of 2012 and 2nd best animated opening day ever after Ice Age 3. Cume to date is $3.8M with 3D about 55% of the total.

Australia: On Thursday, it was #1 in the market with cume to date of $2.3M including Queensland previews. This weekend school holidays are in 90% of the Australian market.

Mexico: On Thursday it was #1 in the market with 71% of share for the 2nd highest opening day ever for Fox (behind IA3 which opened on a holiday Friday). Cume  to date is $1.5M.

Sweden: On Wednesday it was #1 in the market for the best animated opening day of all time. Cume to date is $777K)

Belgium: On Wednesday it was #1 in the market.

Peru: On Thursday it was #1 in the market with 84% share for the biggest opening day ever for Fox, and the 2nd highest opening day ever industry wide (behind Transformers 3 which opened on a holiday), and the biggest opening day ever for an animated film.

Colombia: On Thursday, it scored Fox's biggest paid previews for 1st place in the market.

Argentina: On Thursday, it was #1 in the market with 62% share for the biggest opening day for a Fox film on a non-holiday.

Chile: On Thursday, it was #1 in the market with 71% share.

Central America: Ice Age 4 made $186K on Thursday and was #1 ever for a family title; #1 opening day of all time in Nicaragua; #1 Thursday ever in Guatemala; #1 in all markets with over 70% market share.

Another 14 markets (19 countries) open next week, including Germany and Holland, followed by another 16 markets (35 countries) day & date with the U.S. release, including the UK and Russia. After that, 4 markets will release in late July including Korea, followed by Italy in late September.

Editor-in-Chief Nikki Finke - tip her here.