Transformers continues 2011 trend for better business outside of North America with $32.5m in one day.

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Ok, for those of you thinking my  maths is seriously off, because Transformers: Dark of The Moon scored the biggest opening day of 2011 in North America $37.3m here’s why less is more. The opening day gross in N. America, which includes $8m in midnight preview takings, but not the $5.5m from 3D only showings on Tuesday night (which adds up to a running total of $42.8m) is behind the opening day gross of the previous film (which made $62m on its opening day, also including previews but further ahead on the calendar meaning comparisons aren’t truly like for like). The international takings are 38% AHEAD of Revenge of The Fallen from two years ago. Indications are that the audience for the films is continuing to grow from film to film and perhaps that even if the proportion of moviegoers that didn’t love the second film is the same as it is in the North American market, perhaps international audiences are more willing to take a chance on the sequel. In total the film has already grossed $79.4m worldwide in one day & a few evening previews.

The 3D takings in the domestic market are back to the levels they were at for Thor, 60% reversing a decline specific to that market that had seen 3D takings drop to as low as 40% for Cars 2. The IMAX portion of those takings came to $3.3m.

In other markets TF3 has been doing amazing business. It has the biggest opening day of the year so far i France ($3m) and the biggest opening day of all time in South Korea , where it made $5m. Not to be left out Honk Kong moviegoers to the film to the biggest, non holiday, opening ever with $780k. So far the film has made $4.2m in Russia, where the film had its premier. It will have opened pretty much everywhere by the weekend, although what could be the two biggest markets, China & Japan, will get the film later.

So the question is can TF3 become a massive hit around the world or is it destined to follow Thor, Pirates 4 and Kung Fu Panda as films that are hits in North America, but much bigger everywhere else? If so will Hollywood be making its biggest movies with North American box office merely the icing on the global cake?