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The re-engineered "Pirates of the Caribbean" sequel "On Stranger Tides" found its smoothest sailing overseas, where it took in a record $256.3 million at the international box office, according to studio estimates Sunday. "On Stranger Tides," the fourth "Pirates" installment, earned $90.1 million domestically.

"Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides" had a strong $35 million debut on Friday, but it looks like a $100 million weekend is out of the question. "Bridesmaids" held strong in the second slot with $6.4 million for a fantastic $45.8 million to date.

"Avatar" rang up $3.5 million in domestic boxoffice from 12:01 a.m. Friday performances.

If there isn't significant attendance loss, then Hollywood is now estimating this pre-Xmas 3-day weekend's opening grosses at $80M -- or $27M for Friday including the midnight shows, then $30M on Saturday, and $23M on Sunday when most colleges and high schools are out Monday.

FRIDAY PM UPDATE: With a big pricetag of $175 million, and bad buzz preceding it, G.I. Joe seemed certain to tank. For months, Paramount's claims that the movie worked fell on deaf ears. Not until the Stephen Sommers' directed pic came on tracking with incredibly high awareness among males (with scores in the 90s).

The "Transformers" sequel has become China's biggest boxoffice hit ever by earning 400 million Chinese yuan ($59 million), a publicist for one of the country's two film importers said.