Universal Hits $2 Billion Overseas In Record Time

Universal Pictures International set the industry record for the fastest climb to $2 billion at the overseas box office, beating the previous June 15 record acheived by Fox in 2010. It is the second time in studio history that Universal reaches $2 billion outside of North America. Jurassic World‘s $17.24 million opening day in China, the sixth biggest debut of all time in the market, was a crucial component to hitting the $2 billion benchmark in record time. The studio’s biggest international hits of the first semester include Fifty Shades of Grey ($403.6M Overseas), Furious 7 ($1.16B Overseas), and Pitch Perfect 2 ($90M Overseas).

“Our continued success this year has been driven by the studio’s ability to build new franchises such asFifty Shades of Grey and to nurture our homegrown franchises, which include the Pitch Perfect and Fast & Furious series,” said Duncan Clark, President of Distribution, UCI. “We have benefitted from strategic dating choices, allowing our tentpole films breathing room to reach their full potential at the international box office. This was truly a team effort across the globe. We are proud to share this accomplishment with not only our leadership in London and Los Angeles, but with our local teams who worked tirelessly to make this one of the most exciting years in our studio’s history.”

Universal will continue to deliver high-profile titles throughout the rest of the summer, including R-rated comedies Ted 2 and Trainwreck; animated film Minions; and the upcoming N.W.A. biopic Straight Outta Compton.