International box office: 'Airbender' and 'Expendables' battle for top spot

(All Rights Reserved)

It is a close race for number one between Sylvester Stallone's The Expendables and M. Night Shyamalan's The Last Airbender across the international box office this weekend, just as it is neck-and-neck with Takers and The Last Exorcism at US theaters.

The 3D version of the Nickelodeon TV series; The Last Airbender opened in the top spot in Mexico and performed strongly in China, drawing $18 million for a total of $120 million now, playing in 51 countries.

So far, the tally for The Expendables this weekend also nears $18 million, according to entertainment publication The Hollywood Reporter after dominating the box office last weekend. The action movie, directed by and starring Sylvester Stallone, with Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Mickey Rourke and Bruce Willis opened in Norway, Thailand and Germany where it came in second.

Also, this weekend, Avatar: Special Edition released for more than $4 million, moving the sci-fi blockbuster past the $2 billion mark for international sales.

Other films opening in the number one spot in various countries include Salt, starring Angelina Jolie, on top in France and Poland and staying in first-place for the second weekend in Australia. It takes the overall number three spot.

Adam Sandler's Grown Ups emerged as the weekend's top title in the UK.

At number four worldwide is Christopher Nolan's sci-fi thriller Inception, starring Leonardo DiCaprio.

The Karate Kid has opened globally over the last three months and now holds the number five position. It opened at number one in Spain and Brazil.

RC