Fifty Shades of Grey smashes UIP opening record
JOBURG - United International Pictures (UIP) in Sandton announced that the Fifty Shades of Grey movie has broken the record to earn the highest opening weekend takings of all films released in South Africa.
On 14 February, South Africans flocked to the cinemas in anticipation to watch the global movie phenomenon that has everyone talking.
Stefan Rheeder, the United International Pictures marketing manager, said the film grossed a staggering R14 129 150 in its four-day local run, which beats the opening total of any other film released on local soil. “The film also raked in the all-time advanced sales for any movie, the all-time opening weekend for a 16-years-rated film, the all-time opening weekend for Universal Pictures in South Africa and the highest opening film for this year,” explained Rheeder.
Around the world, the studio projects a 158 million dollar opening in 58 total territories over the five-day frame, stretching from 11 to 15 February. With a three-day domestic gross estimated at 81.7 million dollars, the worldwide opening weekend estimate as of today is 239.7 million dollars.
“It’s the biggest international opening of this year so far, and makes Fifty Shades of Grey Universal’s second-biggest international weekend ever, behind Fast and Furious 6,” said Rheeder.
He added that Fifty Shades of Grey is not only number one in South Africa, but in all 53 other markets as well.
Details: www.uip.com
Read our Fifty Shades of Grey movie review here.
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