Hitch will be the one to beat in theinternational marketplace this weekend as Sony Pictures Releasing International(SPRI) executives line up two more major market openings with the firmintention of keeping it in pole position.

Last weekend'smuscular $21m haul saw the romantic comedy storm to number one overall anddominate a raft of markets, including a superb $9m debut in Germany thatclaimed 45% market share.

This weekend Hitch opened in South Korea yesterday on 175screens and Italy today on 300. The picture currently stands at a $35.5minternational running total.

SPRI was alsodue to release the comedy Are We There Yet', which currently stands at $7.4m throughall its markets, in Australia on Mar 10 on 175.

Fox International has high hopes for its animated release Robots, which goes out in Mexico day-and-date with the USon Mar 11 on 602, as well as in a smattering of smaller markets.

The wide Mexicandebut is expected to produce strong results: by way of comparison Ice Age opened top in Mexico In March 2001 on$5.9m in 488 theatres.

The distributorrolls out the caper sequel Be Cool in its first two international markets this weekend, with debutsscheduled for Australia on Mar 10 on 241 screens and Taiwan on Mar 12 on 40.

Elektra, currently on $25m through FoxInternational markets, gets a big push in France on Mar 9 on 500 and Russia aday later on 160.

The thriller HideAnd Seek opens in Italyon Mar 11 on 300 and currently stands at $37.7m. Sideways has grossed $25m to date.

Elsewhere WarnerBros Pictures International launches the supernatural thriller Constantine in Brazil on Mar 11, which combined withdecent holds in already active markets should help the $76.2m internationalcumulative total on its way toward $100m.

Warner Bros opensJean-Pierre Jeunet's mystery romance A Very Long Engagement in Japan on Mar 12 and will look to astrong reception there to boost its $55.9m total to date.

Alexander has opened in every Warner Bros marketand currently stands at $33.5m, while The Aviator has also opened in all its Warner Brosmarkets and has reached $16.1m. Ocean's Twelve is on $234.9m and The Polar Express is on $119.1m.

Buena VistaInternational (BVI) opens Elektra in Germany, its only market for the title, on Mar 10.

The LifeAquatic With Steve Zissouopens in France on Mar 9; its gross to date is $2.5m, while The Pacifier gets its first international release inTaiwan on Mar 12. The Chorus goes out in Mexico on Mar 11.

Aliens Of TheDeep opens in Australiaon Mar 10 through BVI; it has grossed approximately $303,000 after opening on asingle UK screen in London last weekend.

Latest figuresreleased by BVI executives put The Incredibles on $368.2m and National Treasure on $148.2m. Pooh's Heffalump Movie is on $7.9m.

Universal opensthe high school football drama Friday Night Lights in its first international market ofAustralia through UIP on Mar 10 on 150 prints.

The distributorhas Boogeyman in theUK, which has grossed $2.1m in six days through UIP.

RacingStripes opens in Germanythrough Summit Entertainment on Mar 10 and Japan on Mar 12; the family picturehas taken $20m through its markets to date.

Latest figuresreleased by Summit put Alexander on $132m, Around The World In 80 Days on $48m, and Being Julia on $2.4m.

New Line International'smystery Birth opens in Mexicothrough Gussi on Mar 11. The picture has amassed $13.2m through all its marketsto date.