2015 Marks the Fastest Climb to $1 Billion in the Studio’s History
UNIVERSAL CITY, CA, April 8, 2015-Universal Pictures International (UPI) today announced that the studio will reach $1 billion in international box office grosses today. This accomplishment marks the earliest in its history that Universal has reached that milestone, besting a previous record that was set on May 31, 2013. This is the ninth consecutive year that Universal has crossed $1 billion internationally. The announcement was made by President, Distribution for UPI Duncan Clark.
Universal’s early success in 2015 has been fueled by a diverse slate of films across multiple genres. But the majority of international box office grosses have come from Focus Features and Working Title’s Academy Award®-winning The Theory of Everything ($85 million), Fifty Shades of Grey ($401.2 million) and with its record-breaking $250 million opening Furious 7, which has grossed $316 million in just one week.
“This year we are thrilled to offer audiences some of our biggest and best homegrown franchises with huge prospects in our international markets,” said Clark. “The early results have been terrific and today we celebrate a milestone with our filmmakers, distribution partners and talent who have worked tirelessly to bring these fantastic films to theaters across the globe.”
Universal is charging ahead with its blockbuster 2015 slate as Furious 7 opens in China and Russia this weekend. Also coming this summer are the follow-up to 2012’s surprise hit comedy Pitch Perfect 2, directed by Elizabeth Banks; the long-awaited next installment of Steven Spielberg‘s groundbreaking series, Jurassic World, directed by Colin Trevorrow and starring Chris Pratt; the follow-up to the highest-grossing original R-rated comedy of all time from writer, director and voice star Seth MacFarlane, Ted 2; Illumination Entertainment and Universal’s comedy adventure that stars the voices of Sandra Bullock and Jon Hamm, Minions; and the latest film from director Judd Apatow, written by and starring breakout comedy star Amy Schumer, Trainwreck.
About Universal Pictures International
Universal Pictures International (UPI) is the international marketing and distribution division for Universal Pictures. In the United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, France, Russia, Korea, Australia, Mexico and India, UPI directly markets and distributes movies through its local offices, creating campaigns and release strategies that respond to the culture and market behavior of those territories. In other parts of the world, UPI partners with Paramount and Sony in the distribution of all three companies’ films. Universal Pictures is part of NBCUniversal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation.
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