'Beowulf' Slays Global Box Office

"Beowulf," the revolutionary new epic adventure from Academy Award(R) winner Robert Zemeckis, conquered the worldwide box office as the #1 movie both in the U.S. and internationally. The Shangri-La Entertainment presentation, in association with ImageMovers Productions, was released domestically by Paramount Pictures in association with Shangri-La Entertainment and is being distributed internationally by Warner Bros. Pictures.
The film, featuring a stellar cast led by Ray Winstone, Anthony Hopkins, John Malkovich, Robin Wright Penn, Brendan Gleeson, Crispin Glover, Alison Lohman and Angelina Jolie, earned $27.5 million in 3,153 theaters in the U.S. to claim the #1 spot. In the widest U.S. release to date in Digital 3D, "Beowulf" grabbed roughly 40% of its estimated weekend gross from 740 Digital 3D screens, and 13% from 84 IMAX 3D screens. "Beowulf" represents Zemeckis' third highest domestic opening after "What Lies Beneath" and "Castaway."

Opening day-and-date with the U.S. in select markets, the epic adventure swept across Asia and some European markets, earning an estimated $17.3 million in its opening weekend, with nearly 2.4 million admissions from approximately 2,500 prints. International audiences responded to the Digital 3D experience, generating nearly $3 million from 156 IMAX 3D and Digital 3D screens.

The film conquered virtually every Asian market, opening to a strong #1 in Korea (KRW 3.4b/US$3.8m), including the highest ever results for a 3D release (US$ 661k). In Taiwan, "Beowulf" took in nearly 75% share of the top 5 films, and dominating the market with an excellent NT$ 28.7m (US$890k) nationwide. Thailand likewise was swept up in the experience, opening at #1 with a 76% share of the top 5 films in the market, grossing Baht 25m (US$756k). Beowulf also generated #1 openings in Hong Kong (HK$4.3m/US$546k), Malaysia (RM 1.24m/US$373k), Indonesia (RP 3.1m /US$341k) and Singapore (S$811k/US$538k), and earned Php 29m (US$675k) in the Philippines.

Based on the first ever published writing in the English language, "Beowulf" stormed across Europe, earning 2.2m pounds Sterling (US$4.5m) in the UK, euro 1.48m (US$2.2m) in Italy, and euro 1.45m (US$2.1m) in Germany. In Austria, the film ranked #1, earning an estimated euro 247k (US$319k) on its opening weekend.

In the coming weeks, Zemeckis' vision for an all-new "Beowulf" will be unleashed in France, Belgium (21 Nov), Russia, Holland (22 Nov), Spain, Mexico (23 Nov), Australia (29 Nov), Brazil (30 Nov) and Japan (1 Dec).

With "Beowulf," Zemeckis takes moviegoers on an incredible journey using the powerful performances of his all-star cast enhanced with the newest available performance capture technology. The stellar cast is led by Ray Winstone in the title role. Joining him are Academy Award(R) winner Anthony Hopkins as the cursed King Hrothgar, John Malkovich, Robin Wright Penn, Brendan Gleeson, Crispin Glover, Alison Lohman and Oscar(R) winner Angelina Jolie as Grendel's mother.

Paramount Pictures and Warner Bros. Pictures In Association with Shangri-La Entertainment An ImageMovers Production A Robert Zemeckis Film "Beowulf" directed by Robert Zemeckis from a screenplay by Neil Gaiman & Roger Avary. The producers are Steve Starkey, Robert Zemeckis and Jack Rapke. The executive producers are Martin Shafer, Roger Avary and Neil Gaiman. The co-producer is Steven Boyd. The director of photography is Robert Presley. The production designer is Doug Chiang. The film editor is Jeremiah O'Driscoll. The costumes are designed by Gabriella Pescucci. The senior visual effects supervisor is Jerome Chen. Imagery and animation by Sony Pictures Imageworks, Inc. The music is by Alan Silvestri. The original songs are written by Glen Ballard and Alan Silvestri. http://www.beowulfmovie.co.uk/

About Paramount Pictures Corporation

Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment, is a unit of Viacom (NYSE:VIA) (NYSE:VIA.B) , a leading content company with prominent and respected film, television and digital entertainment brands. The company's labels include Paramount Pictures, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, MTV Films, Nickelodeon Movies and DreamWorks Studios. PPC operations also include Paramount Digital Entertainment, Paramount Home Entertainment, Paramount Pictures International, Paramount Licensing Inc., Paramount Studios and Worldwide Television Distribution.

About Warner Bros. Pictures International

Warner Bros. Pictures International meets worldwide tastes and demands with a diverse mix of filmed entertainment and is a global leader in the marketing and distribution of feature films. WBPI operates offices in more than 30 countries and releasing films in over 120 international territories, either directly to theaters or in conjunction with partner companies and co-ventures. 2007 marked the 10th year the Studio earned more than $1 billion in overseas box office receipts.