Finding Nemo is approaching $500m following a $16m-plus weekendhaul that raised its international running total to $480m, according toestimates from Buena Vista International (BVI).

The animated hit is now theninth biggest worldwide grossing film of all time on $820m and may well reachthe number eight spot when figures are confirmed this week.

Key drivers were Japan,where BVI executives estimated $7.5m for the weekend for a superb $77.5mcumulative score. Nemo is the number one film there for the sixth weekin a row.

Elsewhere Freaky Fridayadded $3m for $42.3m at the international to date and Brother Bearraised its total by $2.7m to $32m-plus.

The animated title remainednumber one in Mexico and according to executives beat Return Of The Kingin the territory for the second week in a row. To date it has grossed a verystrong $10.4m in Mexico.

Calendar Girls added $2m for a $51.3m international running total.The comedy is performing far better than expected in Europe outside the UK andopened fourth in Spain on $580,000 from 935 screens.