"Marley & Me" top dog at overseas box office

LOS ANGELES- Thanks to nine new market openings -- notably a No. 1 premiere in the U.K. -- "Marley & Me" grabbed the top spot on the international circuit over the weekend, barely edging out superhero fantasy "Watchmen."

The family drama, based on the John Grogan book about an obstreperous 100-pound dog, grossed $13.9 million overall from 34 markets. "Marley's" total international gross stands at $51 million. A first-place opening in Russia provided $1.7 million.

Director Zack Snyder's "Watchmen" faded to second place with $13.5 million generated in 54 markets for an international total to date of $49.5 million. The adaptation of the comic-book series opened at No. 1 the previous weekend with a gross of $25.9 million.

Finishing third was Clint Eastwood's "Gran Torino," which stepped up its international pace with a No. 2 opening in Italy. Overall, "Torino" grossed $11.4 million in 27 territories. Its cumulative gross stands at $47.7 million.

At No. 4 was "Dragonball Evolution," which premiered in eight Asian markets before its April 8 domestic opening. Director James Wong's live-action adaptation of the famous Japanese cartoon series created by Akira Toriyama co-stars Justin Chatwin and Hong Kong's Chow Yun-fat and drew $10.1 million. After heavy promotion in the region, it premiered at No. 1 in China, Malaysia, Thailand, Hong Kong and Singapore.

"Confessions of a Shopaholic" was fifth for the weekend. The comedy opened in five territories, ranking at No. 1 in Australia and Holland. Its weekend tally was $6.1 million from 24 markets for a total to date of $31.8 million.

Opening in Southeastern Asia simultaneously with its No. 1 domestic premiere was "Race to Witch Mountain," with Dwayne Johnson and AnnaSophia Robb, which derives from 1975's "Escape to Witch Mountain." The family action update debuted to $660,000 in Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines.

"Mamma Mia!" has crossed the $600 million worldwide gross mark; its total take is $601.6 million. Fueling the mighty global figure is the musical's overseas tally of $457.5 million, which is more than three times its domestic box office.