Chicken Run Rules The U.K.

files/pictures/picture-35.jpgBritish audience flocked to theatres to catch the first Aardman Animation feature CHICKEN RUN. In its British premiere, the clay character cavalcade racked up an amazing US$5.8 million. The fearless free-rangers knocked seven-week champion GLADITOR into second in the U.K. The Roman romp tallied up an additional $38.8 million in its international showings. The box office blood bath has brought in $165.8 million outside the U.S. Slipping for the U.S. top ten, Disney’s DINOSAUR, however, stomped over the competition in Brazil to the tune of $1.6 million. The debut of DINOSAUR in Brazil crushed TARZAN’s premiere by nearly 50%, making it the biggest animated debut the territory’s history. STUART LITTLE claimed the top slot in Spain and should hit an international cume of $100 million next week with nods in Japan and the U.K. In sad news, THE ROAD TO EL DORADO couldn’t gain any steam in debuts in Taiwan, New Zealand and the Philippines after a poor opening last week in Singapore. Box office reports obtained in THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER.