The Mummy Returns dominated the international box office for a second week running, claiming the top position in yet another major territory, France.

The action comedy secured with 756,465 admissions (equivalent to $4.5m) in the market. The film, which is distributed in most territories by United International Pictures (UIP) now reigns in every major European territory and has now reached an international tally of $72m. Adding in its four week take of $170.7m in North America, The Mummy is close to a worldwide total of $250m.

But the fight back against the film has already begun. After two weeks on release in Australia, The Mummy fell to high kicking local production Moulin Rouge. Baz Luhrmann's musical, which combines period settings with contemporary music, became the biggest local film opening in Australia with $1.9m in its opening four-days, ahead of last year's The Dish and The Wogboy.

German distributor Advanced Medien was also pleased with the performance of Sigourney Weaver and Jennifer Love Hewitt comedy Heartbreakers over the weekend. Opening at number two in Germany as well as Austria, the film grossed $625,470 (DM 1.4m).

Several long running local films are also continuing to make their marks in several territories, hanging valiantly on to second positions. Most notable amongst these are Lolafilms' Torrente 2: Mission In Marbella, which has now taken $18.2m in Spain. The film is now the most successful local film of all time in the territory, ahead of its prequel Torrente: The Dumb Arm Of The Law, which took $10.2m.

UFD's Amelie From Montmartre remains strong in France, losing the top spot for the first time this week since its opening five weeks ago. The film has achieved $5.9m to date. Equally impressive is the continued take of Me, Myself And I, now at $3.6m after 10 weeks, and Cool And Crazy, on $2.9m after 18 weeks, both in Norway.

Next weekend could well prove the beginning of the end for The Mummy as Buena Vista International opens Pearl Harbor in the UK and Italy. The Bruckheimer-Bay collaboration, which opens in Germany on June 7, has already become the biggest non-sequel opener of all-time in North America, although it remains to be seen whether massive marketing campaigns will draw the crowds in countries where the World War II tragedy is not such a personal story.