"Everest" debuted in 36 countries this weekend, earning $26.5 million in the international market and $7.1 million in the United States. The disaster film is expected to climb the international box office rankings after a wide release next week.
Universal's true-to-life disaster film, starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Jason Clarke, opened in 36 markets and was hailed first in twelve countries, including Mexico, Argentina, Australia, Hungary, Bulgaria, Taiwan and South Africa. In Iceland, director Baltasar Kormákur's home country, "Everest" also ranked first with $32 thousand sales.
In the United States, the film's advanced screening in 545 IMAX and premium large-format (PLF) theaters on Sept. 18 earned a $2.3 million gross. According to Forbes, it affected the lower stats for "Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials" and "Black Mass".
The filmed also ranked first in New Zealand, and film enthusiasts credit this partly to the fact that one of the characters, Rob Hall (Clarke), was a New Zealander.
In Australia, the film has earned $890 thousand and ranked first since its opening on Sept. 17, while in the U.K., it ranked second to Tom Hardy's "Legend", contributing $980 thousand to its international gross.
Before its international release, "Everest" was shown in the Venice Film Festival on Sept. 2 and Toronto Film Festival, where it has received critical acclaim, Variety reported.
The film was based on the 1996 tragedy where eight people died trying to reach the summit. Writers Simon Beaufoy and William Nicholson focused the story on the group's struggle to survive.
"Everest" is set for wide release on Sept. 25.