''Life of Pi'' edges ''Hobbit'' at overseas box office

Fox's "Life of Pi" was king at the overseas box office this weekend, taking in $60.1 million from 65

foreign markets to raises its international gross to nearly $302 million.

The big weekend narrowly beat out "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey," which added another $57 million

overseas, and raised its worldwide box office haul to nearly $825 million since opening on December 12.
Director Ang Lee's "Pi" opened No. 1 in seven of eight markets in which it debuted. Russia, at $14.1

million, was the weekend leader, followed by Australia ($8.2 million) and South Korea ($5.4 million).

China, where "Pi has completed its run, is its top market with more than $90 million.

With the big weekend, Warner Bros.' and MGM's "The Hobbit" has passed "Twilight" Breaking Dawn 2" at the

global box office. The "Twilight" finale has brought in $813 million since opening on November 16.
The overseas total came from 65 markets, and was run up with roughly 5.6 million admissions from almost

13,500 screens. That's a 43 percent drop from the previous week.

Overall, "The Hobbit" has taken in more than $560 million overseas. Germany remains the strongest foreign

territory, having brought in $74 million. The U.K. ($72 million), France ($39.6 million), Russia ($36

million) and Spain ($32 million) are next. Its North American total, after adding $17.5 million this

weekend, is $263 million.

Paramount's "Jack Reacher" was third for the weekend with $22.3 million from 16 territories and Universal's

"Les Miserables" was No. 4 with $14.5 million from 18 markets.