Robert Zemeckis’ performance-capture epic Beowulf raked in a whopping 32% of its U.K. box office at venues displaying the film in 3-D, according to Daily Variety. The pic earned $9.2 million in traditional projection and $4.5 million in 3-D for a grand total of $13.7 million to date. In fact, Beowulf reportedly grossed more at London’s BFI IMAX theater than at any other IMAX location in the world, selling out 55 of the first 85 shows to the tune of $751,598 since the late November opening.
In North America, Beowulf earned roughly 40% of its $27 million opening gross from 740 screens equipped for digital 3-D projection, while 13% came from 84 IMAX 3-D screens. Foreign receipts have now surpassed the movie’s domestic take. The digital fantasy flick based on an Old English poem has raised approximately $91.5 million abroad, driving worldwide box office to around $168 million. Advanced bookings will keep it playing at the BFI IMAX in London through Jan. 24.
Beowulf‘s record-breaking performance in 3-D, both at home and abroad, bodes well for the raft of stereoscopic toons in development and production at major studios. Giving audiences an incentive to go to the theater rather than renting DVDs or, God forbid, illegally downloading movies is a big part of DreamWorks Animation’s release plan starting with 2009’s Monsters Vs. Aliens. LAIKA is currently shooting its first feature, Coraline, in 3-D, and Disney recently announced plans to release Bolt (previously known as American Dog) in 3-D and has inked a deal with filmmaker Tim Burton to produce the 3-D animated features Frankenweenie and Alice in Wonderland. Time will tell if the technology is here to stay, or merely a passing fad like previous adventures in stereoscopic cinema.
