‘Wolf of Wall Street’ Delivers Martin Scorsese’s Best European Box-Office Openings

Black comedy starring Leonardo DiCaprio debuts No. 1 in the U.K., Germany, Austria and Spain; “Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit” is tops in China

Martin Scorsese‘s “Wolf of Wall Street” opened at No. 1 in three key European markets this weekend – and posted the director’s biggest openings ever in those territories.

Controversy over the film’s explicit portrayals of sex and violence may have cost the film at the box office in the U.S., where “Wolf” has never won a weekend. But that doesn’t look like it will be a problem in Europe.

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The R-rated black comedy starring Leonardo DiCaprio, which Universal is distributing in nine territories in Europe, debuted on top in the U.K. ($7.6 million), Germany ($6.4 million) and Spain ($3.4 million). It also opened at No. 1 in Austria and German Switzerland, on the weekend following its Best Picture Oscar nomination.

“Wolf” took in $20.6 million from eight markets for Universal this week and,with other distributors’ hauls added in, $27 million from abroad overall.

It has taken in $92 million in the U.S. for Paramount, which will also release the film in Japan. That and its $58 million international total so far put its global haul at roughly $150 million worldwide.

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Disney’s “Frozen” was the second-biggest overseas earner this week, with $24.6 million from 53 foreign markets. Its international total is $426.5 million, and its worldwide haul is up to nearly $760 million. It’s biggest overseas market has been the U.K., where it has taken in $56 million.

Paramount’s “Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit” was third internationally this weekend, with $22.6 million from 30 foreign territories, highlighted by a $9.5 million No. 1 debut in China.

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