"Audiences in general are hungry for this type of international event, " said Richie Fay, Lions Gate Entertainment Corp.

WSJ: 'Dark Knight' Still Tops Box Office

"We consciously said we were counterprogramming the tent poles, but to have it work as well as it did is amazing, " said Richard Fay, Lions Gate's president of domestic distribution.

WSJ: Will Smith's 'After Earth' Flops at Box Office

"Even for the midrange titles, there is a fan out there who will come at 10 p.m. on a Thursday evening, " said Richard Fay, president of distribution for Lions Gate Entertainment Corp.

WSJ: Hollywood Stretches Out Movie 'Openings'