In a week that continues to redefine the global box office landscape, two very different films — a big-budget sci-fi epic and a romantic drama sequel — have delivered strong international performances. Christopher Nolan’s Tenet added another impressive boost to its overseas revenue, while After We Collided, the follow-up to the 2019 YA romance hit, launched with remarkable strength across key markets in southern Europe.
‘Tenet’ Continues Its Worldwide Momentum
Despite ongoing regional restrictions and reduced theater capacity in many countries, Tenet remains a dominant force internationally. The film added an estimated $58 million this week, demonstrating staying power rarely seen during the pandemic era. Its global reach — spanning Europe, Asia, and Latin America — has solidified Nolan’s reputation as a filmmaker capable of driving audiences back to cinemas even under challenging market conditions.
The film’s performance reflects a combination of factors: the director’s global fan base, strong IMAX turnout, and a continued appetite for large-scale spectacle. While some markets remain partially shuttered or limited, Tenet continues to attract steady traffic, proving that major event films can still thrive when international markets align.
‘After We Collided’ Opens Big in Southern Europe
Meanwhile, After We Collided, the second installment in the romantic drama franchise, delivered a surprisingly robust opening across southern Europe. Markets including Italy, Spain, and Portugal showed particularly strong turnout, with the film outperforming expectations and in some cases rivaling the weekend numbers of much larger studio releases.
The film’s breakout success can be attributed to its passionate built-in fanbase, the popularity of Anna Todd’s original novels, and the strong performance of the first movie on streaming platforms across the region. After We Collided also benefitted from a release strategy tailored to territories where cinemas have reopened earlier and where youthful audiences have been more willing to return to theaters.
Industry analysts note that the sequel’s performance underscores the strength of mid-budget, youth-oriented dramas in regions where large portions of the population remain loyal to genre storytelling and romantic franchises. Its momentum may also help fuel the global box office at a time when Hollywood tentpoles are releasing unevenly across markets.
A Tale of Two Strategies
What’s particularly striking is how the two films illustrate different paths to success in the current theatrical climate. Tenet relies on scale — large-format screens, complex action sequences, and Nolan’s brand power. After We Collided, by contrast, thrives on a targeted strategy: loyal fan engagement, social media momentum, and powerful appeal within specific demographics.
Both films, however, highlight a growing pattern in the international marketplace: localized success can meaningfully contribute to global totals, especially when the U.S. domestic market faces delays or capacity limitations.
What This Means for the Industry
The performances offer cautious optimism for studios and exhibitors. While the road to a fully recovered global box office remains long, films that connect strongly with audiences — whether through spectacle or emotional escapism — continue to find pockets of success.
As more regions reopen and studios adjust their strategies, the combination of blockbuster ambition and niche-market loyalty may play a key role in revitalizing theatrical attendance.
