Horton Climbs to the Top in Foreign Markets

Horton might have declined to the second spot domestically, but it's Numero Uno overseas:

"Horton Hears a Who" heard the jangling of the most overseas coin over the weekend, topping a moderate frame with $13.2 million at 5,743 playdates in 52 markets and edging "10,000 BC."

The weekend win lifted the toon's foreign cume to $77 million, with "Horton" midway through its international run. Dr. Seuss' big-hearted pachyderm -- a new character to most foreign markets -- has shown solid holdover traction, underlining the generally strong appeal of animated fare in offshore markets ...

The next several months looks to be bright ones for animated features. Horton pretty much has a clear field until Kung Fu Panda (considered by Those In The Know to be a strong entry) rolls out in eight or nine weeks, followed by Wall*E a month later.

The more success for animated features, the more employment making animated features.