Movies
'King's Speech' expected to pass $200 million
Updated: 2011-02-12 13:41
(Agencies)
LOS ANGELES - By Oscar week, "The King's Speech" will have jumped the $200 million mark at the worldwide box office, a dizzying performance for an independent historical drama.
In the U.S., the film has earned $86.4 million to date for the Weinstein Co., and should do well again this weekend and next, which is the President's Day holiday. The Academy Awards are February 27.
Overseas, "Speech" has earned $86.8 million to date, with several major territories-Germany and Japan among them-still to open.
The film's worldwide total is $173.2 million.
"Speech" opens this weekend in a number of key countries, including Germany and Brazil.
Many questioned how the film would play in non-English speaking markets, especially after a relatively slow start in Spain. But after "Speech" picked up 12 Oscar nominations and won a series of major guild awards, business picked up.
To date, "Speech" has grossed a robust $6.9 million in Spain. And it's grossed $4.2 million in France since opening there last weekend.
"Speech" has done blockbuster business in the U.K. for distributor Momentum, and will cross the $50 million mark this weekend. It's earned $21.2 million in Australia and $2.1 million in New Zealand for Paramount International and local partner Transmission.
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