Sherlock Holmes stayed top of the international charts for the third weekend in a row through Warner Bros Pictures International as it soared past $260m.

The action sequel grossed a confirmed $18.3m from 7,505 screens in 57 territories to reach $261.3m, which puts it 16% ahead of the original by the same stage of release.

The film added $2.5m in Brazil for $7.9m after two weekends and has grossed an estimated $10m from its first five days in China, where Chinese New Year celebrations are about to get underway.

Latest figures put Sherlock Holmes: A Game Of Shadows at $38.3m in the UK, $27.8m in Russia, $24.8m in Italy, $18.6m in Germany and $16.1m in Australia.

Journey 2: The Mysterious Island has got off to a storming start, taking a confirmed $7.9m from 1,091 screens in seven countries led by $2.7m from 304 in South Korea and $2m from 354 in Australia. Hong Kong produced a $1.1m number one debut from 49, followed by Taiwan on $705,000 from 130 and Malaysia and Singapore, which generated number one launches and a combined $1.6m haul. J. Edgar stands at $20.3m following a $6.4m weekend

Sony Pictures Releasing International (SPRI) reported that The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo grossed $15.7m from 4,630 screens in 53 markets for a $70.8m running total. Highlights were a $3.2m number one launch in France on 514 and a $1.2m number one debut in Mexico on 501.

Germany generated $2.1m from 644 for $5.7m and Australia produced $1.5m from 257 for $4.9m, both after two weekends. The thriller stands at $17.4m in the UK after four and $10.6m in Russia after three.

Underworld: Awakening opened day-and-date with the number one North American release, grossing $13.4m from 2,344 in 36 markets. The highlight was a $5.4m number one debut in Russia from 684. The film also opened in Italy in second place on $1.4m from 269.

The Adventures Of Tintin opened top in Brazil on $2.8m from 553 and the SPRI running total stands at $192.6m, rising to $267m including Paramount Pictures International (PPI) territories.

PPI’s Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol added $9.4m from 4,687 sites in 58 markets for $336.7m. Japan has produced a superb $61.5m.

DreamWorks Animation’s Puss In Boots added $8.7m from 4,503 in 58 territories for $345m and Hugo brought in $1.5m from 776 locations in five markets for $11.6m.

  • Fox International’s Alvin And The Chipmunks: Chipwrecked grossed a confirmed $10.1m from 5,350 screens in 54 markets for $170.8m.

The Descendants captalised on last weekend’s Golden Globes success and earned a confirmed $5.9m from 650 screens in eight markets for an early $9.7m running total. It opened top in Spain on an excellent $2.7m from 266 and held at number one in Australia on $2.5m from 239 for $6.2m after two weekends.

The Darkest Hour brought in $5m for $36.9m while comedy The Sitter opened in the UK on $1.4m from 355 and The Iron Lady stands at $11.1m after three weekends.

Universal/UPI’s thriller Contraband added $1.8m from 680 sites in 16 territories for an early $3.8m. Russia has generated $1.7m after two weekends. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy grossed $1.8m from 180, led by Australia on $1.6m from 127 venues. Tower Heist stands at $64.8m and German title Rubbeldiekatz is at $18.3m, $17.1m of which comes from Germany. Johnny English Reborn is at $155.1m.

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures International reported that DreamWorks’ War Horse grossed $7.3m for $28.8m and Beauty And The Beast 3D grossed $330,000 from three markets.