International box office: 'Rango' shoots to top

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Last weekend it looked like the animated comedy Rango had hit the top spot at the international box office, but Oscar winner The King's Speech toppled it in the final count. This weekend, the animated Western featuring the voice of Johnny Depp did hit number one, earning $23 million in 46 markets, per The Hollywood Reporter.

The story of a pet chameleon who becomes sheriff in a town called Dirt, directed by Gore Verbinsky ( Pirates of the Caribbean), opened in 13 countries, finishing first in Australia, New Zealand, Italy, and Brazil.

In second, the sci-fi action picture Battle: Los Angeles, also known as World Invasion in several countries, opened with $16.7 million in 33 markets. The tale of alien invasion hit first place in the US and also went to the top in ten other territories around the world, including Russia, South Korea and the UK.

In third position is Torrente 4, a Spanish-language film from a series of dark action comedies. By actor-director Santiago Segura, who plays the title character, it collected $11.5 million.

The fourth-place film was Black Swan, starring Oscar winner Natalie Portman, collecting $10.3 million across 44 territories.

In fifth is The Adjustment Bureau, the drama-romance costarring Matt Damon and Emily Blunt ( The Young Victoria, The Devil Wears Prada), which made $8.9 million from 32 countries, with Germany bringing in $1.4 million.

The remaining films in the international top ten include:

6. The Rite, the exorcism-themed outing starring Anthony Hopkins opened in first in France with $2.76 million and collected $7.75 million for the weekend from 38 markets.

7. I Am Number Four, a sci-fi-thriller out in 28 territories, took $7.5 million over the weekend in the 28 markets, with a quarter of ticket sales from China.

8. The comedy Just Go With It, costarring Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston

9. Opening in nine markets, comedy Hall Pass starring Owen Wilson took $5.3 million.

10. Tying with $4.5 million each are the Coen brothers' True Grit starring Jeff Bridges and Matt Damon and romantic comedy No Strings Attached, starring Natalie Portman and Ashton Kutcher.

In Japan, despite the devastating circumstances due to last week's earthquake and tsunami, films were screened, but did not perform very well. The films that played include the animated story Tangled, The Tourist - the romantic thriller starring Johnny Depp - and Oscar winner The King's Speech. Megamind was listed as opening in Japan on March 12, but it has since been pulled from the release schedule.

RC