'Hunger Games' gorges on $214 million global debut
Post-apocalyptic action movie "The Hunger Games" opened with a staggering $155 million at U.S. and Canadian box offices, the highest domestic opening for a movie that isn't a sequel, and established what may become one of Hollywood's biggest blockbuster franchises.
Internationally, the Lions Gate Entertainment drama about an oppressive society's teen death match added $59.3 million from 67 markets for a global haul of $214.3 million.
The massive U.S. and Canadian debut for the film ranked as the third-highest domestic opening weekend in history behind only last summer's "Harry Potter" finale and 2008 Batman movie "The Dark Knight," Lions Gate said on Sunday.
The movie's success brings the first blockbuster franchise to Lions Gate, a smaller Hollywood studio best-known previously for the "Saw" horror series and comedian Tyler Perry's films.
"Hunger Games" set records for highest opening of a non-sequel film and biggest debut outside the summer blockbuster season.
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