ComingSoon.net has reported the estimates for the weekend box office and it looks like Iron Man 2 has had a big start internationally.
"Paramount Pictures and Marvel Studios opened Iron Man 2 internationally a week earlier to give it more time before the World Cup starts on June 11th. The highly-anticipated sequel earned an impressive $100.2 million its first five days from 6,764 theaters in 53 foreign markets for a strong average of $14,814 per site. IMAX Corporation reported that the film grossed $2.25 million at 48 IMAX theaters overseas - an average of $46,875. That's a new record for a 2D release, surpassing 2009's Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen ($2.1 million)."
Grosses were especially strong in the UK with $12.2 million, South Korea with $10.8 million, Australia with $8.8 million, France and Russia with $8.2 million, and Mexico with $7.3 million. That's 26% more than Iron Man opened to in 2008 and a likely indication to a huge US debut next weekend. Pre-release surveys actually indicate that it could start with around $150 million and it even has a chance at surpassing the all-time biggest opening weekend of $158.4 million for The Dark Knight.
Iron Man 2 is out now in the UK and will be released in the US on May 7th!