Universal and Working Title scored their biggest opening weekendof all time in the UK as Bridget Jones: The Edge Of Reason opened top through UIP on an estimated$19.1m (£10.3m) on 496 screens including previews of $5.9m (£3.3m).

The record UK opening applies to US$ and pounds sterling, and beatBridget Jones's Diaryby 136% in US$ and by 85% in pounds sterling. The previous biggest UK launchfor a Universal/Working Title release was Love Actually on $11.1m.

Overall the picture took $26.7m on 973 screens in six territories,setting opening records in each. The romantic comedy sequel took $4.1m inAustralia -the biggest ever debut for a Working Title release and Universal'ssecond biggest behind The Lost World on $4.6m.

In local currency this is the third biggest opening for Universalon A$5.6m, behind Gladiator on A$5.9m and Lost World A$5.8m.

The Netherlands produced $1.1m on 107, with Thursday yieldingUniversal's biggest opening day and Working Title's biggest ever andUniversal's second biggest opening weekend behind Jurassic Park 3 on $1.4m.

Hungary produced $410,000 on 39screens for Universal and Working Title's biggest opening weekend ever, whilePoland's Thursday opening was Universal's biggest ever opening day and theweekend produced $1.5m on 66 for Universal and Working Title's biggest everweekend there.

Bridgetalso strutted her stuff in Croatia, where $108,000 on 11 was good enough forUniversal's biggest opening of all time. The picture is due to open in 10markets this upcoming weekend including Spain and Sweden.

Horror title The Grudge fell 16% to second place in the UK on $2.9m (£1.6m) for astrong $9m running total after 10 days.

The German comedy sensation Seven Dwarfs remained top in Germany, Austria andGerman-speaking parts of Switzerland for the third weekend in a row, adding$6.2m from 759 screens in Germany alone for a $32.8m cumulative total there.

Overall SevenDwarfs added $7.1m on886 for a $38.2m international running total.