'Twilight' takes bite out of international box office

'Twilight' takes bite out of international box office

variety Lionsgate-Summit's "Twilight" finale, "Breaking Dawn -- Part 2," took a massive bite out of the international box office over the Nov. 16-18 weekend, debuting 40% ahead of "Part 1," with a hulking $199.5 million from 61 day-and-date territories, and repping the year's biggest overseas debut.

While the "Twilight" finale's $141.l million fell short of a domestic franchise record, the film's global bow of $340.6 million came in significantly higher than any of the previous installments, shattering the opening of the franchise's previous worldwide best, last year's "Breaking Dawn -- Part 1," which debuted to $283.5 million.

"Part 2" drew its best results from the U.K., which contributed a franchise-best $25.1 million, followed by Russia ($22 million).

In Latin America, the vampire finale outperformed its predecessor by 57%, with $43 million, including $18.1 million from Brazil and $12.2 million from Mexico. And while "Part 2" trailed 2009's "New Moon" in France, the finale scored Gaul's highest debut so far this year, grossing $17.5 million (or 2 million admissions).

As part of Lionsgate's business model of selling off international rights, "Part 2" was released overseas via local distributors. The company, however, will partake in overages in most territories.

"Part 2" has only a few major markets yet to go: Up next are Germany and India, Nov. 22. Japan will be the last market to launch the film, on Dec. 22.