Marvel’s ‘Iron Man 3’ began its record-breaking rollout in 42 countries worldwide this weekend, taking in an estimated $195.3 million. The action-sci-fi-thriller, which opens in the U.S. on Friday, surpassed the $185.1 million international opening weekend take of ‘Marvel’s The Avengers’ during the same period last year.

Some of the opening highlights for ‘Marvel’s Iron Man 3,’ which was helmed by Shane Black, include the biggest opening weekend ever in Argentina, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Vietnam, Taiwan, Philippines, Malaysia and Singapore. The second sequel in the ‘Iron Man’ franchise, which stars Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow and Ben Kingsley, also saw the biggest opening day ever in Taiwan, Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam and Malaysia.

‘Iron Man 3’ was also the biggest Marvel opening weekend in Australia, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Netherlands, Finland, Hungary, Romania, New Zealand, Argentina, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Vietnam, Taiwan, Philippines and Malaysia. It was also the number one film in every market and is the biggest opening weekend of all time in Asia Pacific and Latin America.

Some additional highlights for ‘Marvel’s Iron Man 3’s opening include: Australia-the biggest Disney and Marvel opening of all time; Brazil-second biggest opening weekend of all time; Mexico-third biggest opening weekend of all time; France-second biggest Marvel opening behind ‘Spider Man 3;’ Italy-biggest April opening in industry history; UK-second biggest Marvel opening of all time behind ‘The Avengers;’ India-second biggest all time opening, 44 percent above ‘The Avengers;’ and Japan-third biggest Marvel opening day.

Written by: Karen Benardello