Patty Jenkins’ “Wonder Woman” can add another accomplishment to its ever-growing list of milestones. As you might have heard, the superheroine pic surpassed the $400 million mark at the domestic global box office last week. As of yesterday, that number climbed to $402.2 million, per Box Office Mojo. In domestic earnings, that makes “Wonder Woman” the highest-earning film from a female director. “Frozen,” co-directed by Jennifer Lee, previously held the title with its $400.7 million domestic take.
Internationally, “Wonder Woman” has earned $797 million so far, trailing “Frozen’s” $1.28 billion. However, the film has surpassed “Kung Fu Panda 2's” $665.7 million global earnings. That means that Jenkins is now the top-grossing solo female director at the international box office, ousting “Kung Fu Panda 2's” Jennifer Yuh Nelson.
All this is in addition to the film’s numerous other achievements. Only a few weeks after its June 2 opening, “Wonder Woman” became the highest-grossing live-action film from a female director. Before that, Jenkins became the record-holder for the highest domestic opening for a woman director — topping the $85.1 million opening of Sam Taylor-Johnson’s “Fifty Shades of Grey” in 2015 and the $69.6 million debut of Catherine Hardwicke’s “Twilight” in 2008.
Ten weeks into its theatrical run, “Wonder Woman” is still in the top 2o domestic films. It was the top-earner during its first two weekends in theaters and placed second in its two subsequent weekends. One of the reasons for its box office longevity? Women and moviegoers over age 50.
“Wonder Woman’s” latest win can only bolster Warner Bros.’ Oscar campaign for the Gal Gadot-starrer. The studio has its sights set on “Wonder Woman” becoming the first comic-book film to receive a nod for Best Picture. Warner Bros. is also pushing for Jenkins to become the first director of a comic book movie to receive a nomination. No female directors have been nominated for Best Director since Kathryn Bigelow won for “The Hurt Locker” in 2010. She’s the first and only woman to ever take home the prize.
