This past weekend, Japan emerged as a major box office force, witnessing significant openings for two blockbuster films, "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" and "Monsters, Inc." Despite unseasonably warm weather in key cities and stiff competition from animated features aimed at younger audiences, both films performed strongly.

"The Lord of the Rings" debuted impressively, earning approximately $9.1 million across 600 screens over four days. Although this figure falls short of the $16.84 million four-day opening of "Harry Potter," which played on 645 screens, the film’s international gross now stands at $466 million, with only a handful of minor markets remaining.

Meanwhile, "Monsters, Inc." collected around $5.8 million from 460 screens, boosting its international total to $150 million. The animated hit is scheduled to open soon in Italy, France, and Belgium, further expanding its global footprint.

Other notable releases included "Ocean’s Eleven," which achieved strong results in smaller European markets. Over the weekend, its gross from 50 territories surpassed $15 million, pushing its total to $213 million worldwide, with the film still awaiting releases in three minor European countries and Egypt.

In the UK, box office activity was subdued, influenced by the start of a new school term. Distributors opted to release smaller films or reissues, as the market was largely dominated by major blockbusters and Oscar contenders. "Ocean’s Eleven" maintained its lead, bringing its three-week UK total to $23 million, while "Monsters, Inc." saw a 46% decline, though it still surpassed $400 million globally.

Conversely, some films underperformed. "A Beautiful Mind," shown on 378 screens, garnered only $2.5 million, disappointing distributors after its limited release the previous weekend. In its first international outing, Mark Pellington’s supernatural thriller "The Mothman Prophecies" earned a modest $1.1 million from 287 screens, which was below expectations given the critical reception.

"The Shipping News," featuring Kevin Spacey and Judi Dench, performed well with an opening of $140,000 from 23 screens and plans to expand to 167 sites this week. Other films such as Larry Clark’s "Bully" and "Charlotte Gray" saw modest returns, with "Charlotte Gray" dropping nearly half of its previous earnings.

In Germany, critics expressed skepticism toward "A Beautiful Mind," which earned a six-day total of $1.9 million from 349 screens, reflecting mixed reviews. Similarly, the French box office declined by about 27% despite the holiday season, with "Asterix & Obelix: Mission Cleopatra" remaining the top film at $58.3 million after five weeks, though it experienced a 46% drop in the latest week.

In France, Michael Mann’s "Ali" drew positive reviews, translating into a per-screen average of around $4,000, although it did not match the opening figures of Pathe’s "Amen." The release of Costa-Gavras’ "The Mothman Prophecies" was controversial, with protests over its poster, which combined symbols of the swastika and the cross, leading to heightened publicity.

Meanwhile, "The Shipping News" faced a lukewarm reception in France, criticized for its sentimentality and slow pace, though it performed better in Spain with a gross of nearly $3.8 million across 14 territories. Romantic comedies like "Kate and Leopold" found reasonable success in Italy and Turkey, contributing to a total of $3.9 million from eight countries.

In Australia, preview screenings of "A Beautiful Mind" topped the box office, overtaking "Black Hawk Down" in its second week. "Rabbit-Proof Fence," directed by Phillip Noyce, experienced a slight drop but maintained strong per-screen averages, indicating consistent audience interest.

(Contributions by Lee Simkins in London, Ed Meza in Berlin, and Liza Klaussmann in Paris.)

What are the Harry Potter Movies about and Where to Watch

The Harry Potter movies chronicle the magical adventures of young wizard Harry Potter as he attends Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, confronts the evil Lord Voldemort, and discovers his extraordinary destiny in the wizarding world. For fans wondering where to watch harry potter films, these beloved adaptations of J.K. Rowling's bestselling novels are available across multiple streaming services including HBO Max, Amazon Prime, and Netflix (though availability varies by region), with digital rental options also widely accessible for those looking to experience the enchanting saga.

Why Choose SafeShell as Your Netflix VPN?

For viewers seeking access to region-restricted content like the Harry Potter film series on Netflix, the SafeShell VPN presents an excellent solution. This service specifically tackles the common frustration of geo-blocks, ensuring you can reliably stream your desired titles without encountering Netflix's regional restrictions. Choosing SafeShell means opting for a tool designed to navigate these limitations effectively.

The advantages of SafeShell VPN extend far beyond simple access. It provides meticulously optimized high-speed servers dedicated to Netflix streaming, guaranteeing smooth, buffer-free playback in HD quality, even for data-intensive movies. Furthermore, the exclusive App Mode allows simultaneous unlocking of content libraries from multiple regions, vastly expanding your entertainment choices, while robust multi-device support lets you connect up to five different gadgets – from smartphones and tablets to smart TVs – all at the same time for ultimate household convenience.

Beyond seamless streaming and access, SafeShell VPN prioritizes your security and offers peace of mind. It employs the proprietary ShellGuard protocol alongside advanced encryption, safeguarding your online activities and personal data from surveillance or intrusion during private browsing sessions. To experience these powerful features – including the lightning-fast speeds and top-tier security – firsthand without commitment, SafeShell VPN offers a flexible free trial plan, letting you verify its performance and reliability for accessing global Netflix content.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Watch Harry Potter with SafeShell VPN

To watch Harry Potter movies using SafeShell VPN, follow these straightforward steps:

• Begin by signing up for a SafeShell VPN subscription through their official website, selecting a suitable plan for your requirements.
• Download and install the SafeShell VPN application on your preferred device, ensuring compatibility with your operating system.
• Launch the SafeShell VPN app, log into your account, and select the recommended APP mode for optimized streaming performance.
• Choose a VPN server location matching the regional library where Harry Potter is available, such as the UK or US servers, and establish a secure connection.
• Open your streaming service, navigate to Harry Potter content, and enjoy uninterrupted viewing with SafeShell VPN's encrypted access.

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