'Doctor Strange' Dazzles With $86 Million International Debut

Disney-Marvel’s “Doctor Strange” opened this weekend to $86 million in 33 territories.

That’s a very strong showing for the film starring Benedict Cumberbatch, even by Marvel standards, as the international debut is 49 percent higher than “Ant-Man,” 37 percent more than “Guardians of the Galaxy” and 23 percent ahead of “Captain America: Winter Soldier,” according to Walt Disney Studios’ weekend estimates.

The comic book movie about a brilliant neurosurgeon who gains access to alternate dimensions opened in 213 IMAX locations in 32 countries for the biggest October opening for the large screen format, earning $7.8 million — which more than doubles the previous record of $3.2 million set by “Gravity.”

Also Read: Marvel's 'Doctor Strange' on Track to Open as High as $75 Million

The film opens in an additional 787 IMAX screens globally next week, including North America and China, marking the widest IMAX release of all time and the first time a film will play in more than 1,000 locations.

Based in New York City’s Greenwich Village, Doctor Strange must act as an intermediary between the real world and what lies beyond, utilizing a vast array of metaphysical abilities and artifacts to protect the Marvel cinematic universe.

The film performed strongest in Korea, earning $18.1 million, and marked the biggest opening weekend for a Marvel release. Its debut grosses in the country already exceed the lifetime earnings of “Guardians of the Galaxy,” “Man of Steel,” “Batman vs. Superman” and “Suicide Squad.”

Also Read: 'Doctor Strange': What Is the Post-Credits Scene?

It made $11.1 million in the U.K., $5.7 million in France and $4.9 million in Australia, followed by Germany, Mexico, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Indonesia and more.

Directed by Scott Derrickson (“Sinister”), “Doctor Strange” also stars Chiwetel Ejiofor, Rachel McAdams, Michael Stuhlbarg, Mads Mikkelsen, Tilda Swinton, Benedict Wong, Amy Landecker and Scott Adkins.

'Doctor Strange' vs 'Trolls' and 6 More Big Box Office Showdowns in Fall 2016 (Photos)

It's always a grudge match at the box office. But the opening-weekend competition among certain titles this fall is sizing up to be downright cutthroat. Here are seven of the biggest showdowns by year's end.
various, TheWrap
Opening Weekend: Sept. 16
Two sequels and a biopic. Based off past installment performances, Lionsgate's "Blair Witch" should easily beat Universal's "Bridget Jones's Baby." Throw in Open Road's "Snowden," starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt and directed by Oliver Stone, and "Witch" might get some stiffer competition.
various, TheWrap
Opening Weekend: Sept. 23
"The Magnificent Seven" and "Storks" are catered to audiences that are nearly diametrically opposed: adults and teens vs. families with young'uns. But when it comes to box office grosses, MGM-Columbia's Western reboot starring Chris Pratt, Denzel Washington, Ethan Hawke and more is steeped in heated competition with Warner Bros.' animated comedy featuring the voices of Andy Samberg, Jennifer Aniston and Ty Burrell.
various, TheWrap
Opening Weekend: Sept. 30
Summit Entertainment's historical drama "Deepwater Horizon," starring Mark Wahlberg, will go up against Tim Burton's fantasy-book adaptation "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children," from 20th Century Fox. Both appeal to wide audiences -- albeit relatively separate demographics.
various, TheWrap
Opening Weekend: Oct. 21
Since all three of these wide releases are sequels, we can pick a winner based on their respective debut grosses on past opening performance, the winner is (drum roll): "Boo!: A Madea Halloween." But don't count out "Jack Reacher: Never Go Back" with Tom Cruise.
various, TheWrap
Opening Weekend: Nov. 4
The lowest-grossing openings for Disney-Marvel movies have so far been between $56 million and $58 million. Assuming "Doctor Strange," starring Benedict Cumberbatch, exceeds both "Big Hero 6" and "Ant-Man," DreamWorks Animation's "Trolls" may face an uphill battle for box office supremacy. Still, it looks like it's sizing up to be a tight race.
various, TheWrap
Opening Weekend: Nov. 23
Directed by Robert Zemeckis and starring Brad Pitt and Marion Cotillard, historical drama "Allied" could be the adult pick during a weekend with a kid-geared flick, Disney's animated "Moana." Also "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" will be playing in its second weekend and could blow both openers out of contention for first place.
various, TheWrap
Opening Weekend: Dec. 21
There's something for everyone this weekend: "Assassin's Creed," a video-game-based fantasy film; space romance "Passengers," featuring superstars Jennifer Lawrence and Chris Pratt, and the animated comedy "Sing." All three should perform, but second-weekend holdover "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" could cast a big shadow over all three.
various, TheWrap

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Fall Movie Preview 2016: TheWrap looks ahead to some of the most competitive opening weekends through the end of the year

It's always a grudge match at the box office. But the opening-weekend competition among certain titles this fall is sizing up to be downright cutthroat. Here are seven of the biggest showdowns by year's end.

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'Doctor Strange' vs 'Trolls' and 6 More Big Box Office Showdowns in Fall 2016 (Photos)

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