Bryan Alexander

USA TODAY

Russians are the first to experience Big Hero 6, and they are loving it.

The Walt Disney Animation Studios film took in $4.8 million over two days this weekend in Russia where it was released two weeks ahead of its Nov. 7 U.S. release.

"For a two-day gross, that's huge. It's a giant number in Russia," says Jeff Bock, box office analyst for Exhibitor Relations. "If anyone thought worldwide Big Hero 6 might lack the strength of Frozen, they might be mistaken. This is looking big for Disney this fall. It seems to be firing on all cylinders."

The film is based on the Marvel Comic superhero team of the same name.

The official reason for the early Russian release, per Disney, was to coincide with two weeks' worth of school holidays in the country. But Bock notes that the "strong opening" will help build buzz for the U.S. release.

The film focuses on computer prodigy Hiro Hamada and his plus-sized inflatable robot Baymax who find themselves up against criminal elements in the fictitious San Fransokyo. Hamada puts together a superhero team of science geeks and a fanboy to fight the menace.

In other foreign box office news, Scarlett Johansson's Lucy opened at No. 1 in China this weekend with an estimated take of $19 million, according to the box office tracking firm Rentrak. Combined with the U.S. war chest of $126.4 million from its July release, Lucy's worldwide total is now $434 million.