tinkerbellneverbeast

One child’s direct-to-video cartoon is another child’s big-screen theatrical experience.

Disney’s Tinker Bell and the Legend of the Neverbeast, directed by Steve Loter, will be released on home video in the United States on March 3rd, but it’s receiving a theatrical release in select international territories. Even more surprising, it’s performing strongly in some of those foreign territories.

In Russia, whose citizens have had a years-long obsession with American CGI, Legend of the Neverbeast debuted in second place a couple weeks ago, beaten only by The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies. Last weekend, it held steady, dropping just one slot to third.

The film opened head-to-head in Russia against the French animated feature Asterix: The Land of the Gods, and has thus far outgrossed it, earning $2 million compared to Asterix’s $1.6 million.

Last month, Tinker Bell also opened in second place in Finland, fourth in the Ukraine, and seventh in the United Kingdom. As of December 28th, it has grossed $2.85 million in global box office.