"Simpsons" the first family at theaters

By Dean Goodman

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Time to break out the donuts and the Duff Beer.

Television's hapless underachievers, the Simpsons, were the top draw at movie theaters around the world in their big-screen debut, surpassing even the most optimistic forecasts.

"The Simpsons Movie" sold almost $168 million worth of tickets during its first weekend of release, distributor 20th Century Fox said on Sunday.

The North American component was $71.85 million, the fifth-highest opening of the year. Fox had expected the animated comedy to open in the $40 million range, said Chris Aronson, senior vice president of distribution at the News Corp.-owned studio.

The film cost about $75 million to make, ensuring that it will be a very profitable contributor to the multibillion dollar "Simpsons" franchise. The TV show begins its 19th season in the fall.

The international tally was $96 million from 71 territories, with No. 1 openings in most of them, Fox said. Highlights included Britain ($27.8 million) and Germany ($14.2 million) -- the third-biggest opening for an animated film in both markets. In Finland, Argentina, Chile, Colombia and Uruguay, the film set all-time opening records, it said.

Unlike the recent "Spider-Man" and "Pirates of the Caribbean" movies, which opened simultaneously in more than 100 foreign markets each, "The Simpsons" is rolling out over the next few weeks. One key exception is Japan, which will have to wait until March 2008. The country "is not an entrenched market" for "The Simpsons," said Fox International co-president Paul Hanneman.

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