UPDATE: By early Friday morning (20) the film had grossed $10.4m from nine countries through Warner Bros Pictures International including a $3.8m opening day in Australia from 628 screens. The numbers however will be overshadowed by the shooting tragedy at a screening in Colorado on Thursday night (see separate story.)

South Korea generated $2.7m from 1,059 on opening day, 131% higher than that of The Dark Knight, while Taiwan produced 175% more than its predecessor and returned $878,000 from 228.

The film grossed around $28m in midnight screenings in North America.

Overall The Dark Knight Rises will open on approximately 6,300 screens in the first wave day-and-date with North America. Major results are also expected this weekend from the UK and Spain, which launch on Friday.

The following weekend Batman swings into action in Germany, Mexico and Brazil, while Italy is set for the end of August and China for an undated September slot.

By the time the film is in full flow it will be active on around 20,000 screens and more than 485 Imax theatres worldwide, 396 of which will play the film day-and-date on Jul 20. The Dark Knight Rises will screen in 153 Imax venues internationally.

Turning to the other distributors, Fox International’s Ice Age: Continental Drift stands at $361.9m and opens in three markets, while Prometheus has reached $175.8m and Best Exotic Marigold Hotel has grossed $86.5m. Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter on $30.8m opens in Italy. Lola Versus arrives in the UK.

The Amazing Spider-Man stands at $351.1m through Sony Pictures Releasing International. China will be the last territory to go in late August. That’s My Boy arrives in Russia and Mexico, while Starship Troopers: Invasion opens in Japan. Sony’s home entertainment division holds US rights.

Paramount Pictures International opens The Dictator stands at $99m and should cross $100m with launches in seven mostly Latin American markets. Madagascar 3 on $277.3m arrives in the Netherlands.

Universal Pictures International’s Snow White And The Huntsman has amassed $202.4m, Ted an early $34.3m and American Pie: Reunion $177.4m.