Narnia movie breaks opening weekend box office recordEarns $109 Million Worldwide

‘Narnia’ roars into box office with $67.1 million

Hollywood Reporter
Updated: 10:41 p.m. ET Dec. 11, 2005

LOS ANGELES - Christmas is arriving early this year for Buena Vista as “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe” worked its magic on audiences in its debut and warmed up to a dazzling estimate of $67.1 million. Internationally, “Narnia” opened this weekend in 14 markets and generated an estimated $41.7 million, bringing the worldwide cume to a radiant $108.8 million.

The well-reviewed fantasy-adventure film, helmed by Andrew Adamson and based on the first book from the beloved series by author C.S. Lewis, generated the biggest debut ever for the comparable weekend and the second-highest December opening of all time. Only New Line Cinema’s “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King,” the final film in the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy and based on the series written by Lewis’ friend, J.R.R. Tolkien, opened higher ($72.6 million). The other two films in the “Lord of the Rings” series, “The Two Towers” and “The Fellowship of the Ring,” are the third-and fourth-biggest debuts in December, with $62 million and $47.2 million, respectively.

Walden Media and Walt Disney Pictures co-produced the PG-rated “Narnia,” which cost about $150 million.

Update: As of 12/27/05, "LWW" has earned $244 Million worldwide.