BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Warner Bros. Pictures’ action adventure “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” had a winning opening weekend, earning an estimated worldwide box office total of $424.1 million—the top Super Hero movie opening of all time and the fourth-biggest industry opening of all time—and breaking numerous records domestically and internationally. The announcement was made today by Sue Kroll, President of Worldwide Marketing and Distribution, and Veronika Kwan Vandenberg, President of Worldwide Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures.
The highly anticipated big-screen Super Hero battle earned $170.1 million at the domestic box office—the biggest Warner Bros. Pictures opening weekend ever—with the widest pre-May release (4,242 locations) and, at $27.7 million, the biggest Easter Thursday pre-show opening.
With the film opening day-and-date in 66 markets outside the U.S., the international box office take was an estimated $254 million over the weekend on an unprecedented 40,000+ screens. It marks Warner Bros.’ biggest opening of all time in China (at $57.3 million), Mexico and Brazil. It is also the second-largest overseas opening for a Warner Bros. film (after the final “Harry Potter” film).
Both domestically and internationally, “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” enjoyed the biggest March opening ever, the industry’s biggest opening of 2016, the biggest Easter weekend opening, the top opening of all time for a DC Comics film, and the highest opening for a Zack Snyder-directed film, a Ben Affleck film and a Henry Cavill film.
Globally, it also broke the IMAX opening record for Easter weekend with a worldwide gross of $36 million on 945 IMAX screens, the widest IMAX footprint to date. In North America, the film set a new box office record for an IMAX release outside the summer and Christmas play periods, with $18 million, and internationally set records with $18 million, which includes $7 million in China.
In making the announcement, Sue Kroll stated, “We’re so excited by the fantastic global success of this film. Anticipation has been building with movie fans everywhere for ‘Batman v Superman’ and the buzz has been nothing short of amazing. This tremendous result at the box office is a tribute to the cinematic world that Zack Snyder has created to bring these two iconic heroes together, and it’s so gratifying that audiences everywhere are loving the film.”
Veronika Kwan Vandenberg said, “We are thrilled with the phenomenal numbers for ‘Batman v Superman,’ which has broken records both in the U.S. and around the world. The results are a testament to the enduring popularity of these Super Heroes and to the dedicated filmmakers and talented cast. Our excellent date allows us to take advantage of the spring holidays with a five-week window until the next Super Hero film. Based on the strong word of mouth by fans we can look forward to a long and prosperous run.”
Greg Silverman, Warner Bros. Pictures’ President, Creative Development and Worldwide Production, added, “Zack Snyder, Chuck Roven and Deborah Snyder and their creative teams have set the stage for an expansion of the DC Films universe, and the success of ‘Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice’ tells us that not only are moviegoers eager for more, but that this film truly delivers. We congratulate them and our on-screen talent, including Ben Affleck and Henry Cavill, as well as our partners at DC Entertainment, on the success of the movie, and we look forward to continuing to bring more of these great characters to movie audiences everywhere.”
From director Zack Snyder comes “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice,” starring Oscar winner Ben Affleck (“Argo”) as Batman/Bruce Wayne and Henry Cavill as Superman/Clark Kent in the characters’ first big-screen pairing.
Fearing the actions of a god-like Super Hero left unchecked, Gotham City’s own formidable, forceful vigilante takes on Metropolis’s most revered, modern-day savior, while the world wrestles with what sort of hero it really needs. And with Batman and Superman at war with each other, a new threat quickly arises, putting mankind in greater danger than it has ever known before.
Directed by Zack Snyder, the film also stars Oscar nominees Amy Adams (“American Hustle”) as Lois Lane, Jesse Eisenberg (“The Social Network”) as Lex Luthor, Diane Lane (“Unfaithful”) as Martha Kent, and Laurence Fishburne (“What’s Love Got to Do with It”) as Perry White; Oscar winners Jeremy Irons (“Reversal of Fortune”) as Alfred, and Holly Hunter (“The Piano”) as Senator Finch; and Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman/Diana Prince.
Snyder directed from a screenplay written by Chris Terrio and David S. Goyer, based on characters from DC Comics, including Batman, created by Bob Kane with Bill Finger, and Superman, created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. The film was produced by Charles Roven and Deborah Snyder, with Wesley Coller, Geoff Johns and David S. Goyer serving as executive producers.
Snyder’s behind-the-scenes creative team included director of photography Larry Fong (“300,” “Watchmen”) and production designer Patrick Tatopoulos (“300: Rise of an Empire”), and from his “Man of Steel” team, editor David Brenner, costume designer Michael Wilkinson, visual effects supervisor John “DJ” DesJardin, and Oscar-winning composer Hans Zimmer (“The Lion King”) working in conjunction with composer Junkie XL (“Mad Max: Fury Road”).
Warner Bros. Pictures presents, an Atlas Entertainment/Cruel and Unusual production, a Zack Snyder film, “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.” The film can be seen in IMAX, Dolby Cinema, RealD 3D, 3D and in 2D, and is being distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.
