Sony's Spider-Man 2grossed an estimated $12.1m on 6,430 screens in 55 territories through ColumbiaTriStar Film Distributors International (CTFDI) at the weekend, raising theinternational cumulative total to $328.2m.

The chief highlight was the$2.6m debut on 300 screens in China, which included previews and set a newrecord for an MPAA release in the Asian territory.

The local currency total of20.4m units far exceeded the previous 18.6m record held by Pearl Harbor.

Spider-Man 2 was the first studio picture to open in China afterauthorities ended the ban on Hollywood titles that has lasted most of thesummer.

It remained unclear to whatextent piracy may have harmed the picture's potential theatrical revenue. Hollywoodstudios typically like to release their pictures as close as possible to the USrelease date to preclude the effects of piracy, and China is one of the mostpiracy-prone markets in the world.

Elsewhere, the action sequelfell a mere 20% in its fourth weekend in France, where it added $2.7m on 758and ranked second on a $31.7m running total.

The picture added $2.4m on500 in its fifth weekend in Japan and fell 21% for a $42.8m running total. Itis expected to overtake the UK and become the picture's biggest market laterthis week. The UK's total after four weekends is $43m.

The comedy White Chicksgot its first international release as it opened in second place in Australiaon $1m.

The romantic comedy 13Going On 30 opened second in the UK on $2.1m (including previews) on 400screens and fourth in France on $1.1m. It grossed $3.3m overall for a $7.7mrunning total.