‘Alice in Wonderland’ and ‘Clash of the Titans’ doing well overseas, thanks to 3-D

Americans like their 3-D, but it’s foreigners who really love the new digital technology.

“Avatar,” for instance, has taken in $1.97 billion from foreign markets, more than twice as much as the $745 million it has grossed in the U.S. and Canada. Last year’s 3-D “Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs” collected $688 million internationally, compared with $197 million domestically.

Now, the latest 3-D blockbusters — “Alice in Wonderland” and “Clash of the Titans” — are turning in similar performances.

The Tim Burton-directed “Alice” opened this weekend to a very strong $14 million in Japan and $10.1 million in Spain. Both are the biggest debuts ever in those countries for a 3-D picture, ahead of “Avatar.” While its domestic run is close to an end with $324 million, “Alice” already has $503.5 million from international markets.

“Clash of the Titans,” meanwhile, grossed more than three times as much overseas as in the U.S. and Canada this weekend, generating $53.6 million from 57 foreign markets, thanks in part to strong debuts in Mexico and Italy. Its foreign total is $188.7 million so far, with major territories including Brazil and Japan left to go.