The first day-and-date launch of the year propelled XXX: TheNext Level (theinternational title of the film, as opposed to XXX: State Of The Union in North America) to the top of theinternational charts over the weekend, but the estimated $15m gross on 4,800prints in 64 territories was a disappointing result that fell below theexpectations of executives at Sony Pictures Releasing International (SPRI).

The European heatwave didn't help matters much, nor the heroicexploits of Buena Vista International's (BVI) The Hitchhiker's Guide To TheGalaxy, which grossed anestimated $8.3m from only three markets, including a sensational $5.2m debut inthe UK on 575 screens that beat The Next Level's $1.8m on 493 into second place.

XXX 2 openedtop in more than 20 territories including most of South-East Asia and theMiddle East, and in Spain on $950,000 on 403.

Elsewhere it opened fourth in France on $1.4m on 450, second inSouth Korea on $1.3m on 174, second in Germany on $1.2m on 598, and second inAustralia on $920,000 on 246.

The picture opened second in Russia on $870,000 on 243, second inMexico on $500,000 on 350, second in Italy on $460,000 on 250, and second inBrazil on $350,000 on 200.

XXX 2 launchedstrongly in India on $740,000 on 201, and opened top in Thailand, Malaysia, thePhilippines, Singapore and Taiwan.

SPRI executives will now look for solid sustained business beforethe release of Star Wars: Episode III later this month.

Hitchhiker's drew $5.2m over three days in the UK, rising to $5.8m when openingfigures for Thursday are taken into account.

The Douglas Adams adaptation produced and co-financed by SpyglassEntertainment opened top in Australia on $2.1m and top in New Zealand on$450,000, providing a cast iron launchpad when the international rolloutcontinues later this month.

BVI's family picture The Pacifier, also produced by Spyglass, maintainedits impressive run with a $6.7m gross that raised the international cumulativetotal to $42m, fired up by a number one hold in its second weekend in Mexicothat added $2.3m for $5.3m.

Latest figures put Australia on $8.3m after six weekends, Germanyon $5.3m after three, Italy on $2.5m after two, and Austria on $1m after three.

Pooh's Heffalump Movie added $1.5m through all active markets for a $28m internationalrunning total.

Universal's The Interpreter continued to perform solidly around the world, adding anestimated $7.1m through UIP in 2,325 venues in 33 territories for a $39minternational running total.

The picture opened top in Argentina on $130,000 from 30, andstayed top in its second weekend in Germany on $406,000 in 375 for 20% marketshare and a $4m cumulative total there. The UK added $1.3m from 367 for thirdplace and has grossed $9.4m after three weekends.

Spain produced $640,000 in 186 and second place behind XXX 2 and has grossed $4.7m after threeweekends, while Australia yielded $595,000 from 200 for third place and $3.9mafter the same amount of time.

The Interpreter added $478,000 from 201 in Mexico for second place and $1.5m aftertwo weekends. The thriller ranks third in Austria and has taken $500,000 aftertwo weekends. Brazil has taken at least $1m after the same period of time,however weekend results were incomplete at time of writing.

Sahara, released by Paramount in selected territories, was expected to gross $2.2m from 969 cinemas in five territoriesthrough UIP at the weekend, raising the adventure's international running totalthrough UIP to $17.2m.

Weekend business was drivenchiefly by an estimated $757,000 gross in 209 venues in Spain where Sahara ranks third and stands at $2.3m after two weekends.The UK added $590,000 in 386 for seventh place and $8m after four.

Sahara rankssecond in Italy on $2.6m after a $530,000 haul from 149 in its second weekend,seventh in Australia where it has grossed $3.8m after four, and seventh in NewZealand on a $595,000 running total after three.

Fox International reported a quiet weekend in advance of KingdomOf Heaven next weekend.The thriller Hide And Seek added $1.4m on 289 international screens for a $63.4m running total.Japan has produced $3.6m after two weekends.

The Amityville Horror raised its international running total to by $2m to $11.7m, lwhere the highlight was a $1m haul in its third weekend in the UK for a $7.2m running total there.

The comedy Be Cool raised its international cumulative total to $34.57m, while theanimated title Robotsstands at $104.6m and is winding down, Dodgeball is on $53m, and Guess Who has reached $9.2m.

Warner Bros Pictures International's Constantine added $2.9m on 1,066 screens in 36 territories through for a $142.4m international running total.

The picture stayed top in its third weekend in Japan as the country heads into the national Golden Week holiday. It added $2.6m on 350 for $14.3m.

Miss Congeniality 2 added $1.5m on more than 1,771 screens in 56 countries for $47.2m.