The adventure continues

“Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End” is slowing at the domestic box office but chugging along powerfully overseas. The “three-quel” has grossed $625 million worldwide.

The R-rated comedy “Knocked Up” notched the only strong opening among major new releases in the U.S. and Canada.

“Mr. Brooks,” starring Kevin Costner as a family man who is also a serial killer, opened about as expected. “Gracie,” the story of a girl who plays for a boys’ soccer team, averaged only about $1,200 per theater.

“Spider-Man 3,” like “Pirates,” has done more than 60% of its business overseas. The early summer’s first big sequel has grossed $844 million globally -- the highest ever for a Sony Pictures film.

Preliminary results (in millions) in the U.S. and Canada, based on studio projections:

*--* MOVIE 3-DAY TOTAL WEEKS (STUDIO) GROSS (MILLS.) (MILLS.)

1 Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s $43.2 $216.5 2 End (Disney)

2 Knocked Up (Universal) 29.3 29.3 1

3 Shrek the Third (DreamWorks 26.7 254.6 3 Animation/Paramount)

4 Mr. Brooks (MGM) 10.0 10.0 1

5 Spider-Man 3 (Sony) 7.5 318.3 5

6 Waitress (Fox Searchlight) 2.0 9.5 5

7 Gracie (Picturehouse) 1.4 1.4 1

8 Bug (Lions Gate) 1.2 6.1 2

9 28 Weeks Later (Fox Atomic) 1.2 26.6 4

10 Disturbia (Paramount) 1.1 76.7 8

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Industry totals

*--* 3-day gross Change Year-to-date gross Change (in millions) from 2006 (in billions) from 2006 $130.0 -4.3% $3.76 +5.6%

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Note: A movie may be shown on more than one screen at each venue.

Source: Media by Numbers

Los Angeles Times