LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - "Titanic'' sailed into more record-breaking territory this weekend when it became the first picture to break the $1 billion mark at the foreign box office. That's the word from 20th Century Fox, which released the film outside the United States and Canada. The Oscar-winning romantic epic has broken box office records in more than 50 countries, Fox said. Most recently, it has become the top-grossing U.S. release ever in China, with $19.2 million in three weeks.

-- Dan Draghici (ddraghic@sprint.ca), April 27, 1998

Answers

Meanwhile 20th Century Fox reported over the weekend that on Friday Titanic became the first film ever to pass the $1 billion mark at the international box office. It predicted that it should eventually take in another $200 million overseas.

"Titanic" was tied for third at $5 million with another love story, "The Object of My Affection," starring Jennifer Aniston of "Friends" as a pregnant woman in love with a gay man, according to Exhibitor Relations Co. Inc.

"Object of My Affection" fell fast from a debut weekend of $12 million.

"Titanic" in its 19th week of domestic release has sold $561 million in the U.S. and Canada. It placed fourth the previous weekend.

Elsewhere in the world it passed $1 billion this week, becoming the No. 1 money-making film in 59 locations from Argentina to Yugoslavia. It is No. 2 and still rising in the other two showings in Singapore and Turkey, 20th Century Fox International said.

"When you think that no other picture has done over $913 million worldwide, it's something we may not see again for a long, long time," Fox spokesman Tom Sherak said.

"Titanic" has nearly doubled the previous international record held by "Jurassic Park." Although the pace of international earnings has slowed from $30 million to about $25 million weekly, "Titanic" is estimated by Fox to take aboard another $200 million at foreign ports before this voyage ends.

{-e-}

-- Dan Draghici (ddraghic@sprint.ca), April 27, 1998.