Universal-Working Title's Thunderbirds remake opened third in the UK throughUIP at the weekend - its first launch anywhere in the world - on an estimated$2.4m (£1.3m) including previews on 433 screens.

The live-action family adventure version of Gerry Anderson'spuppetry and pyrotechnics television series of the 1960s trailed Spider-Man2, which was in itssecond weekend, and Shrek 2, in its fourth.

According to UIP the Thunderbirds bow came in slightly ahead of each ofthe three Spy Kidsinstalments. The next openings are in Israel and the Netherlands on Jul 29 andJapan on Aug 7.

Focus Features' Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind enjoyed strong bows in Latin America forUniversal/UIP, opening seventh in Brazil on $175,000 on 62 screens and tenth inMexico on $200,000 on 100.

The left-field romance added $35,000 on 16 in its third week inArgentina for $225,000 and has grossed $625,000 from all UIP territories todate.

Universal's sci-fi sequel The Chronicles Of Riddick opened eighth in Argentina on $85,000 on40, and added $130,000 on 127 in its second weekend in Brazil, dropping 33% fora 10-day $450,000 running total.

Riddickadded $240,000 on 296 in Mexico for $1.2m after a 50% drop and has grossed $3mto date from Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Singapore, Malaysia and thePhilippines.