'Pirates' sets sail with $90 million at box office

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides dug up $90.1 million in box office treasure in its first weekend in North America, at the low end of forecasts but still the biggest debut of any film this year, according to studio estimates on Sunday.

The fourth release in the blockbuster Walt Disney Co series, and the first in 3-D, plundered an additional $256.3 million in overseas ticket sales to set a record as the highest international movie opening of all time, Disney said.

All told, the latest Pirates of the Caribbean film grossed an estimated $346.4 million worldwide during its first few days in release.

Setting sail with lackluster reviews but little competition in US and Canadian theaters, Pirates easily topped the final Friday-through-Sunday domestic slate ahead of the Memorial Day holiday weekend.

The newest Pirates adventure pairs returning star Johnny Depp in his signature role as Captain Jack Sparrow with Oscar winner Penelope Cruz, a newcomer to the franchise.

The film also co-stars another Academy Award winner and Pirates veteran, Geoffrey Rush, along with Ian McShane making his first appearance as Blackbeard.

The comedy Bridesmaids ranked a distant No 2 in its second weekend with $21 million in US-Canadian ticket sales.