Marvel Studios’ blockbuster added an estimated $161.8m at the global box office to reach $949m as the international running total climbed by $89.3m to $664.1m. Star Trek Into Darkness enjoyed an excellent first foray to earn $31.7m.

Iron Man 3, released outside North America through Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures International, overtook the $657m final tally of Harry Potter And The Sorcerer’s Stone to become the 14th highest-grossing international movie of all-time.

It has rocketed to $95.3m in China, $54.1m in South Korea, $48.3m in the UK, $42.2m in Mexico, $37.6m in Brazil and $37.4m in Russia.

The superhero saga stands at $34.8m in France, $33m in Australia, $20.7m in Japan, $19.2m in Italy, $17.9m in Taiwan, $17.4m in Germany, $14.5m in Indonesia, $13,8m in the Philippines, $12.7m in both Hong Kong and Malaysia, $11.4m in India, $10.6m in Spain and $10.5m in Argentina.

Iron Man 3 has overtaken the final international box office of both its predecessors, the entire Spider-Man franchise including last year’s The Amazing Spider-Man reboot, The Dark Knight Rises, The Dark Knight, Thor and Captain America.

In other words, Iron Man 3 has grossed more than any other supererhero film except The Avengers on $895m. However Iron Man 3 has overtaken The Avengers in China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia and ranks as the biggest release of all time in the latter two territories.

In terms of global box office, Iron Man 3 has passed Iron Man and Iron Man 2, Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2, The Amazing Spider-Man, Thor and Captain America.

  • Paramount Pictures International reported an excellent $31.7m for Star Trek Into Darkness from the first seven territories, led by $13.3m in the UK from 556 sites in a result that beat 2009’s Star Trek by approximately 50%.

The sci-fi sequel generated $7.6m in Germany from 627 to beat the first film by 80% and delivered $5.5m in Australia from 263 to finish more than 50% ahead of the 2009 release.

Mexico produced $3m from 573, which was almost three times the opening weekend of Star Trek. The film rolls out in the coming months, arriving next weekend in Russia day-and-date with North America, followed by China on May 28, South Korea on May 30, France on Jun 12, Italy Jun 13, Brazil Jun 14 and Spain Jul 5. It opens in Japan on Aug 23.

Star Trek Into Darkness grossed $2.3m including previews from 57 IMAX screens and according to senior executives the film is on course to at least match the best UK opening weekend.

G.I. Joe: Retaliation has reached $237.9m after seven weekends. Hansel And Gretel: Witch Hunters stands at $169.1m.

DreamWorks Animations’ The Croods grossed $17.3m through Fox International to reach $363.2m. A further $11m in China from the second weekend boosted the running totasl to $47.1m as The Croods overtook The Smurfs to become the biggest non-franchise release and the third biggest animation release in local currency.

  • Oblivion added $11.7m through Universal Pictures International to stand at $160.9m and opened well in China on $8.5m from 5,000 sites in the third biggest three-day opening for Universal.

German title Hanni And Nanni 3 opened in German-speaking Europe and Luxembourg on $2.3m and ranked third in Germany on $1.8m from 460 venues. Jurassic Park 3D has reached $9.8m, Mama $71.2m and Identity Thief $38.7m.

  • Evil Dead grossed $2.6m through Sony Pictures Releasing International and has amassed $20.3m to date. The horror reboot arrived in Italy on $700,000 from 267.
  • Warner Bros Pictures International will launch The Great Gatsby in 49 markets this week folloing the international premiere and opening night gala at Cannes. It arrives this week in the UK, France, Germany, Russia, Italy, Spain and South Korea.