Worldwide Gross
The combined total box office revenue from all theatrical markets globally, including both domestic and international territories.
Definition
Worldwide gross is the aggregate box office revenue earned by a film across all theatrical markets globally, combining domestic (typically US and Canada) with all international territories. As the most comprehensive measure of theatrical performance, worldwide gross is the headline number used in media reporting and industry tracking.
The ratio between domestic and international gross has shifted dramatically over recent decades. Films that once earned 60-70% of their revenue domestically now frequently earn 60-70% internationally, reflecting the growth of markets in China, South Korea, India, and Latin America.
Why It Matters
Worldwide gross determines whether a film is profitable theatrically and heavily influences decisions about sequels, franchise expansion, and talent deals. The general industry rule of thumb is that a film needs to earn roughly 2.5 times its production budget in worldwide gross to break even after accounting for marketing costs and theater revenue sharing.
For marketers and PR professionals, worldwide gross numbers drive media narratives that affect public perception, award season positioning, and the overall brand value of franchises and talent.
Examples in Practice
A major studio franchise entry earns $200 million domestically and $800 million internationally for a worldwide gross of $1 billion. While the domestic number is considered underwhelming, the massive international performance ensures profitability and greenlights the next installment.
An animated family film that struggled domestically with $80 million finds unexpected success in Asian markets, earning $300 million internationally and reaching $380 million worldwide, transforming a perceived domestic disappointment into a global hit that spawns a sequel.