Exhibitors across various markets shared mixed reactions last week as several high-profile new releases competed for audience attention on the international circuit. Despite the arrival of fresh titles including "The Bourne Identity," "Minority Report," "Road to Perdition," "The Tuxedo," and "Austin Powers in Goldmember," none managed to unseat reigning champion "Signs" from its dominant position at the global box office.

The M. Night Shyamalan thriller, led by Mel Gibson, continued to impress across multiple regions, topping charts in Japan, Spain, and Brazil during its second weekend, and in the United Kingdom and Mexico during its third. Across 3,424 engagements spanning 30 territories during the September 25–27 frame, "Signs" raked in $14 million, pushing its international cumulative total to $97.8 million through October 1. The film was on track to surpass the $100 million overseas milestone by October 4, joining an elite group of only 13 titles to achieve that figure globally in 2002.

In Spain, where Hollywood films have recently suffered dramatic drops in momentum, "Signs" held up remarkably well, benefiting from enthusiastic word of mouth and the broad appeal of its star.

Meanwhile, "The Bourne Identity" claimed the top spot in both Germany and France, with critics in the latter championing its Parisian backdrop. The Matt Damon espionage thriller also dominated Belgium and posted a strong second-place finish in Australia. Its early international haul reached $26.2 million across 20 markets.

Tom Cruise's "Minority Report" delivered a career-high performance for the star in Italy, surpassing "Mission: Impossible II" at the local box office. Italian audiences have long shown a fondness for science fiction thrillers in the tradition of cult classics like "Blade Runner," and the film found strong resonance there. Strong supporting business from "Asterix & Obelix: Mission Cleopatra," "Men in Black II," and "About a Boy" also helped energize overall Italian attendance. The Spielberg sci-fi epic likewise proved a major draw in Holland and Turkey, where it logged Fox's third-biggest opening weekend of all time, behind only "Titanic" and "Star Wars: Episode I." Its worldwide cumulative total climbed to $105.9 million.

Jackie Chan's "The Tuxedo" made a big splash in Singapore, setting a September record and ranking as the market's third-largest non-holiday weekend ever. The film grossed $730,000 on just 26 screens within its first five days.

"Austin Powers in Goldmember" settled into second place in Spain, though its humor proved difficult to fully translate through dubbing. In Australia, Mike Myers' latest adventure is outpacing the performance of its predecessor, "The Spy Who Shagged Me," which earned a modest $3.8 million in that market. The franchise's latest installment now holds an estimated international cumulative total of $64 million.

"Road to Perdition" expanded to wide release across the United Kingdom following a London platform run, performing adequately but falling short of some exhibitors' expectations, particularly given the promotional momentum surrounding Tom Hanks' attendance at the premiere. The film's international total currently stands at $29.5 million from 27 markets.

Vin Diesel's action vehicle "XXX" found strong footing in Thailand and New Zealand, accumulating $18.3 million across 25 markets. Major territories including all of Western Europe and Japan have yet to contribute to its tally.

On the local film front, several productions generated encouraging debuts. Spanish filmmaker Fernando León de Aranoa's "Mondays in the Sun," fresh from winning Best Film at the San Sebastián Film Festival, opened to widespread acclaim in Spain and is generating exceptional audience buzz. In France, Roman Polanski's "The Pianist," winner of the Palme d'Or at Cannes, finally reached eager audiences who had been anticipating the release. French comedy "Ma Femme… S'appelle Maurice," adapted from a popular stage production, overcame negative critical reception to find a loyal paying audience.

Germany saw the debut of "Bibi Blocksberg," a family fantasy from Constantin Film about a young witch-in-training. While it didn't quite rival the phenomenon of "Harry Potter," it delighted younger audiences. Meanwhile, romantic drama "Nackt" continues to perform strongly, with exhibitors predicting it will become the first German film of the year to sell one million tickets.

What are the Harry Potter Movies about and Where to Watch

The Harry Potter film series chronicles the magical adventures of the titular character and his friends as they confront the rise of the dark wizard Voldemort. For those wondering where to watch harry potter, the movies are widely accessible on major subscription services and for digital rental or purchase. Availability can vary by region, so checking your local streaming platform is recommended.

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