‘Instructions Not Included’ Sets Spanish Language Box Office Record For U.S.

By THE DEADLINE TEAM

Pantelion Films’ Instructions Not Included today becomes the highest grossing Spanish Language film ever released in the U.S., according to distributor Lionsgate. With this weekend’s estimate of $3.38 million, the breakout family comedy/drama has a cume of $38.567M in its 5th weekend at the American box office. Starring and directed by Eugenio Derbez, the pic has passed Pan’s Labyrinth‘s $37.6M as the new record holder. It’s also the 4th biggest grossing foreign language film ever in the U.S., behind only Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (Taiwan), Life is Beautiful (Italy), and Hero (China). Meanwhile, Instructions Not Includedhas yet to be released in Canada. Word of mouth spread due to its ‘A+’ CinemaScore, and Instructions Not Included expanded its U.S. run to target crossover audiences. Made for a $5M budget and acquired by Pantelion, it was the big story coming out of Labor Day Weekend for the best-ever domestic debut for a Spanish language film. Pantelion Films is a joint venture between Lionsgate and Mexico’s media powerhouse Televisa with plans for 8-to-10 films per year.