"Madagascar 2" leads foreign box office

"Madagascar 2: Escape Africa" hurdled to the forefront of the foreign box office with weekend sales of 33.5 million U.S. dollars from 56 territories.

The animated film opened in 10 markets and was welcomed in the No. 1 spot by Italy (6.5 million dollars) and Australia (4.4 million dollars), as well as Hong Kong and New Zealand.

Cast member David Schwimmer (C), who gives voice to Melman, poses with characters from the movie at the premiere of "Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa" at the Mann Village theatre in Westwood, California October 26, 2008. "Madagascar 2: Escape Africa" hurdled to the forefront of the foreign box office with weekend sales of 33.5 million U.S. dollars from 56 territories.

The sequel, which grew its international gross to 218.5 million dollars, held strong in holdovers, with Germany delivering 26.8 million dollars to date, France 21.6 million dollars, the U.K. 18.7 million dollars and Mexico 12.1 million dollars.

Last weekend's champion, "The Day the Earth Stood Still," slipped to No. 2 with 21 million dollars from 92 countries, taking its international total to 72.3 million dollars. Market totals include Russia with 9.2 million dollars, the U.K. with 7.2 million dollars, Mexico with 5.6 million dollars, and France with 5.5 million dollars.

"Twilight" picked up 11 million dollars from 27 countries, highlighted by a No. 1 bow in the U.K. (3.9 million dollars) and a No. 2 opening in Brazil (1.2 million dollars, behind "Madagascar 2"). Its international total stands at 64.6 million dollars.

"Four Christmases" earned 5.7 million dollars weekend from 38 markets. Its total is 23.8 million dollars. "Bolt" bit off 5.3 million dollars from 15 countries, moving its total to 35.9 million dollars.

Two new entries seeking a piece of the holiday business included new North American champ "Yes Man," which took in 3.5 million dollars from six countries, and the mouse cartoon "The Tale of Despereaux," which tallied 1.7 million dollars from the U.K., Spain and Portugal.

"Madagascar 2" goes wild at North American box office

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DreamWork Animation's animated sequel "Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa" opened wildly this weekend in U.S. and Canadian theaters, beating industry expectations and virtually dispersing an impression that there is an economic recession underway.

Cast member David Schwimmer (C), who gives voice to Melman, poses with characters from the movie at the premiere of "Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa" at the Mann Village theatre in Westwood, California October 26, 2008. The movie opens in the U.S. on November 7.

The family comedy about a group of New York Zoo animals' journey to Africa took in 63.5 million dollars over the three-day period in North America, far surpassing the 47.2-million-dollar debut of the original film in 2005, according to studio figures released Sunday.

"Madagascar 2" also scored the best opening of the year for a family film, overpassing "Wall-E" and "Kung Fu Panda" which opened with about 63 million and 60 million dollars respectively in summer.

Meanwhile, Sony's latest James Bond film dominated overseas box office over the weekend as "Quantum of Solace" claimed the top spot in each of the 60 markets with a collective take of 106.5 million dollars.

Universal's R-rated comedy "Role Models" opened in No. 2 in North America this weekend with an unexpected 19.3 million dollars, followed by Disney's "High School Musical 3" with 9.3 million dollars.

The Disney teenager sensation, which was the box office leader in last two weeks, has grossed 75.7 million dollars in North America since it opened as the first big-screen version of the original television movie franchise.

Angelina Jolie-starred "Changeling," a Universal production directed by Oscar-winning veteran Clint Eastwood, was steady in No.4 with 7.3 million dollars, while comedy "Zack and Miri Make a Porno" from Weinstein Co. dropped two spots to No. 5 with 6.5 million dollars.

With help of the surprising performance of "Madagascar 2," the top-selling 12 movies took in about 128.8 million dollars this weekend in North America, a 32 percent increase from the same weekend last year.

Hollywood is expected to see a bumper start of the upcoming holiday season as the 007 film "Quantum of Solace," which has grossed 160.3 million dollars overseas, opens domestically Friday, followed by Summit Entertainment's vampire romance "Twilight" and Disney's animated canine comedy "Bolt" next week.

"Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa" premieres in Westwood

Cast member Ben Stiller, who gives voice to Alex, poses with character Alex the lion at the premiere of "Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa" at the Mann Village theatre in Westwood, California October 26, 2008. The movie opens in the U.S. on November 7.

Singer Fergie poses at the premiere of "Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa" at the Mann Village theatre in Westwood, California October 26, 2008. The movie opens in the U.S. on November 7.

Cast member David Schwimmer (C), who gives voice to Melman, poses with characters from the movie at the premiere of "Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa" at the Mann Village theatre in Westwood, California October 26, 2008. The movie opens in the U.S. on November 7.

Actress Christine Taylor poses at the premiere of "Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa" at the Mann Village theatre in Westwood, California October 26, 2008. The movie opens in the U.S. on November 7.

Cast member Ben Stiller, who gives voice to Alex, poses with his wife Christine Taylor at the premiere of "Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa" at the Mann Village theatre in Westwood, California October 26, 2008. The movie opens in the U.S. on November 7.

Cast member Chris Rock (R), who gives voice to Marty, and co-star Jada Pinkett Smith, who gives voice to Gloria, pose next to the character Alex the lion at the premiere of "Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa" at the Mann Village theatre in Westwood, California October 26, 2008. The movie opens in the U.S. on November 7.

Cast member David Schwimmer, who gives voice to Melman, poses with actress Zoe Buckman at the premiere of "Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa" at the Mann Village theatre in Westwood, California October 26, 2008. The movie opens in the U.S. on November 7.