Marvel's tentpole, handled by Paramount in most territories, came in well above expectations to dominate everywhere. It collected $10.3 million in the U.K., $9.6 million in Mexico, $7.5 million in South Korea, $7.1 million in France, $6.2 million in Spain and $6 million in Brazil.

The massive opening nearly tripled the previous top foreign launch for the year, "10,000 BC," and marked the biggest international frame since "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" conjured up $193 million last July.

In South Korea, where local pics often dominate, the $7.5 million "Iron Man" launch represented the biggest opening of 2008 and more than double the "Spider-Man" debut.

The offshore numbers for "Iron Man" are particularly impressive since the character hadn't been established internationally prior to the pic's marketing blitz. Rivals believe the film could tally $300 million outside the United States, given that openings generally matched launches of "Spider-Man" (which finished with $418 million overseas) and "Transformers" ($382 million) and easily topped the debuts of "X-Men" ($138 million) and "Fantastic Four" ($175 million).

As for the rest of the weekend's openers, Jackie Chan-Jet Li actioner "Forbidden Kingdom" appeared to be the likely leader with a rough estimate of $8 million from soph seshes in Asian markets after easily winning the previous frame with $18.6 million.

Fox's family fave "Horton Hears a Who!" also grabbed $3.8 million at 1,776, including $1.1 million in its Korean launch. The toon's been the best foreign performer among U.S. titles over the past month with a $131.7 million international cume.

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