'Return Of The King' Close To $500M Worldwide

[Tuesday, December 30th, 2003]
New Line Cinema's The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, the final film in Peter Jackson's critically-acclaimed trilogy, has earned $490.7 M globally in its first two weeks of release. The number one film for the second week in a row, the film grossed $50.6 M, bringing the total domestic gross to $222.3 M and making it the second fastest film to reach $200 M in the US. Internationally, 'The Return of the King' has grossed $268.4 million in 38 countries, a 27% leap from the two week gross of its predecessor, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers.

"Audiences have made a major investment in the story and characters, and Peter Jackson has delivered a very satisfying, dramatic and emotional finale to this extraordinary trilogy," said New Line Cinema's Rolf Mittweg. "It's been so gratifying to see filmgoers around the world embrace 'The Return of the King.'"

Domestically, 'The Return of the King' took 11 days to cross the $200 M mark -- one day less than 'The Two Towers'. It also posted the best Christmas Day gross of any current movie, $14 M.

Internationally, 'The Return of the King' played in theaters in 38 countries, breaking records in numerous countries, including Austria, Germany and the UK. The film expanded into the United Arab Emirates and South America by Christmas Day, then in Australia and Iceland on December 26.

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