Timothée Chalamet’s Wonka made a significant impact at the global box office, debuting at No. 1 and earning US$43.2 million from 37 overseas markets, ahead of its pre-weekend projections.
Wonka, an origin story for the beloved character Willy Wonka from Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, has already been hailed as a potential overseas success story before its 15 December release in the United States.
According to Deadline, the movie’s largest box office earnings came from the United Kingdom, where it secured US$11.1 million, followed by Mexico with US$5.2 million and Spain with US$4.4 million. These numbers are expected to climb once Wonka releases in the United States and additional global markets.
Anticipated to be a major hit during the Christmas season, Wonka is projected to open domestically in the US$40 million range. The film’s early performance has already outpaced several recent family-friendly and musical films, including The Greatest Showman and Mary Poppins Returns.
Notably, Wonka ranked No. 1 in 32 of the 37 markets where it debuted, with IMAX theaters contributing US$2.3 million to the total opening gross. However, the film faced a setback in China, earning only US$3.2 million.
As Wonka prepares for its American debut, projections estimate a US$40 million domestic box office opening. These impressive overseas figures suggest a potentially successful run, although the film’s long-term performance will depend on how it fares in its second week. The coming week will be crucial in determining the overall profitability and enduring appeal of Wonka in the global market.
Wonka is now showing in theatres.
Natalie is a big fan of anything related to movies, TV shows, games, and comics — you name it. When she’s not reading or geeking out about the latest shows on Netflix, she’s probably playing Honkai: Star Rail, cosplaying, or daydreaming of meeting her idols.
Edwin Teo
