Paddington has become the highest-ever grossing non-Hollywood family film after making $200 million (£131 million) at the box office. The independent film, which stars Nicole Kidman and Hugh Bonneville, has proved a hit with audiences worldwide since it was first released in the UK in November.
The film is based on Michael Bond's Paddington book series, and follows the adventures of the marmalade-loving bear who travels to London from Peru in search of a home.
Global takings for the Hollywood film still fall well short of the $1.3 billion made by Disney's animated hit, Frozen. However Paddington cost $55 million to make in comparison to the $150 million required to produce the Disney film.
© Photo: RexPaddington is the highest grossing non-Hollywood film ever
Paddington was directed by Paul King and produced by David Heyman, who previously worked on the Harry Potter films. The family film features Ben Whishaw as the voice of the Peruvian bear after Colin Firth famously quit the role.
At the beginning of February it was revealed that the film took £34 million in Britain last year, helping independent British films to capture their highest market share of the UK box office at 16 per cent.
Before its release the film was given a parental guidance rating by the British Board of Film Classification, who said it contained "dangerous behaviour, mild threat, mild sex references and mild bad language". The bear's creator Michael Bond said he was "totally amazed" by the classification.
© Photo: RexNicole Kidman said she loved starring in the family film
Nicole Kidman, who plays evil taxidermist Millicent in the film, said she had a lot of fun working on the family film because the script was "irreverent and funny".
The 47-year-old said she had no hesitation in joining the cast because her daughters Sunday Rose, six, and Faith, three, could enjoy the film.
"They love this movie. And they squeal with laughter. And the first time I knew it was going to do well was when the trailer came out and they watched the trailer, it must've been 50 times. And I'm not in the trailer. They were howling," Nicole told Yahoo!.
