Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol held firm in the face of sub-zero temperatures across much of Europe to reign supreme internationally for the second week running.

The latest instalment in the spy franchise has now surpassed $400m on the international stage through PPI after taking a further $25.8m from over 5,900 sites in 64 markets. The majority of this week’s haul came from an excellent holdover performance in China where it grossed almost $20m to stand at $55.7m after just two weeks.

DreamWorks Animation’s Puss In Boots managed a further $5.3m in 61 markets for $367.4m overall and opens in Norway this week (Feb 10), with a March 12 launch scheduled in Japan.

  • Thanks to a chart-topping debut in Mexico of $2.8m and a third-place $2m bow in the UK, Warner Bros Pictures International’s sequel Journey 2: The Mysterious Island helped itself to $14.1m in its 19 markets to stand at $41.5m so far.

Sherlock Holmes: A Game Of Shadows is now within touching distance of the original’s $315m international tally, after amassing $9.3m for $311m.

  • Chronicle had a superb start in its first international forays after Fox International reported a $13m debut in 33 markets, but with only three of the top 15 markets in play.

Highlights included number one openings in the UK ($3.6m from 398) and Australia ($3.1m from 204), as well as chart-topping bows in Hong Kong, Malaysia, New Zealand and Puerto Rico. Upcoming openings include Sweden (Feb 15), France (Feb 22) and Spain (March 2).

Oscar nominee The Descendants continued to do great business adding $11.2m for $44.8m overall, following excellent holds in the likes of the UK and Spain (where it remained top for a third consecutive week), and achieving the third highest opening in Mexico for a Fox Searchlight film ($620,000 from 236).

  • Underworld: Awakening bared its fangs to pass the $50m mark internationally after it grossed a further $11.9m through Sony Pictures Releasing International from over 3,500 sites in 57 markets for $53.9m.

A chart-topping Russian debut led the way as Jack And Jill took $8m in its 38 markets. Adam Sandler’s latest stands at $40.8m and opens in Brazil this week (Feb 10), where Just Go With It amassed $11.7m last year.

David Fincher’s adaptation of Stieg Larsson’s novel The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo is now within a whisker of $100m internationally after a $7.6m weekend from its 62 markets.

  • Universal’s comedy Tower Heist opened at No.3 in Japan – distributed by local distributor Toho-Towa – on its way to $2m for $68.5m.

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy stands at $5.7m from its two UPI markets in Australia and New Zealand, while The Grey – which UPI is distributing in Russia – has accumulated $2.2m after two weeks in play.

  • DreamWorks’ drama War Horse has reached $41.2m.