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Live-Action Ghost in the Shell Film Earns US$40.1 Million Overseas in Opening Weekend

The Box Office Mojo film news website estimates that Paramount Pictures' live-action Ghost in the Shell film has earned the equivalent of US$40.1 million outside the United States as of April 2. The film premiered in more than 50 international markets this past weekend. The global total for the film is estimated at US$58,776,033.

Box Office Mojo provided the totals for some of the international territories: US$5.3 million in Russia, US$4.2 million in South Korea, US$3.1 million in France, US$2.8 million in the UK, US$2 million in Germany, US$2.1 million in Mexico, US$1.9 million in Brazil, US$1.8 million in Australia, US$1.3 million in Spain, and US$1.2 million in Hong Kong.

The film debuted in the United States on March 31 and earned US$19 million in its first three days. The film also earned an estimated US$1.8 million on Thursday night preview screenings in 2,229 locations.

Box Office Mojo had earlier estimated on Thursday that the film would earn approximately US$32.5 million across the 3,440 U.S. theaters showing the film this weekend, and said "industry expectations" for the film were at approximately US$25 million.

The film will open in Japan and China on April 7.

DreamWorks and Paramount co-financed and co-produced the film, and Rupert Sanders (Snow White and the Huntsman) directed the film. Scarlett Johansson stars in the film as the Major, and Pilou Asbæk (Lucy) plays Batou. Director, comedian, and actor Beat Takeshi (also known as Takeshi Kitano) plays the Public Security Section 9 founder and chief Daisuke Aramaki. Michael Pitt (Boardwalk Empire) plays the villain Kuze.

Thanks to Daniel Zelter for the news tip.

Update: Box Office Mojo lists the film's actual domestic earnings for the weekend at US$18,676,033.