50 Shades rakes in R2.89bn worldwide

Protesters hold placards criticising the depiction of S&M in the film 'Fifty Shades of Grey', as a group of excited women arrive for its opening day in Los Angeles on February 12, 2015. Picture: MARK RALSTON

Protesters hold placards criticising the depiction of S&M in the film 'Fifty Shades of Grey', as a group of excited women arrive for its opening day in Los Angeles on February 12, 2015. Picture: MARK RALSTON

Published Feb 16, 2015

Share

NEW YORK - The film adaptation of erotic novel Fifty Shades of Grey broke records for a Valentine's Day film opening over the weekend, according to initial studio estimates on Sunday.

The film brought in a record 81.7 million dollars (about R952.33m) at the North America box office and more than 248.7 million dollars (about R2.89 billion) worldwide, Universal Studios said. The figures made it the most successful release ever on Valentine's Day, the Hollywood Reporter said.

The film based on EL James' hit novel starring Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan cost just 40 million dollars to produce.

The new British-US spy comedy Kingsman: The Secret Service was second at the box office with 35.6 million dollars in ticket sales followed by animated film The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water, which fell to third place after leading the box office the previous weekend.

War drama American Sniper directed by Clint Eastwood grossed 16.4 million dollars in its eighth week in cinemas for fourth place and science fiction flick Jupiter Ascending rounded out the top five. - Sapa-dpa

Related Topics: