While the domestic box office was down a sobering 4 percent, the foreign take grew
by 7 percent to $22.4 billion; China now second-biggest international market after
Japan.

The foreign box office rescued Hollywood in 2011, with international ticket sales
reaching $22.4 billion, a healthy 7 percent increase over 2010, according to the
MPAA’s annual Theatrical Market Statistics report.

Globally, ticket sales reached $32.6 billion in 2011, only a 3 percent gain. That’s due
to a marked downturn at the North American box office, where revenue reached
$10.2 billion, down 4 percent over 2010. International reveneus made up nearly 69
percent of the pie.

“The figures on box office reflect only one indicator of an extremely complex and
evolving movie industry,” MPAA chairman and CEO Chris Dodd said. “We’re
working harder and smarter to keep moviegoers coming back for more, whether at
the cinema, at home or on the go.”

Continue reading Global Box Office Hit $32.6 Bil in 2011, Fueled by Exploding International Growth →