The worldwide total collected was $249 million with the UK as the top international market with $22.5 million, followed by South Korea with $15.7 million and Australia with $15.5 million. The Dark Night Rises is the No. 1 opening ever for a 2D film.

Perhaps modest compared to The Amazing Spider-Man's international opening of $126.8 million, Dark Knight debuted in just 17 countries compared to Spider-Man's 69 markets. Christopher Nolan's Batman movie opens in 40 more territories this week, including Germany, France and Japan.

The studio delayed releasing the numbers after the mass shooting at a midnight screening on Friday in Colorado. In addition, premieres in Paris, Tokyo and Mexico for The Dark Knight Rises were cancelled and extra security was stationed at theaters over the weekend. It is likely that the rampage had an impact on ticket sales for families.

The Dark Knight Rises, starring Christian Bale, Anne Hathaway, Tom Hardy, Michael Caine, Marion Cotillard, and Gary Oldman received good reviews and is expected to make up revenues in the upcoming weeks.

At No. 2, Ice Age: Continental Drift took a big dip, drawing $58.8 million in 67 markets.

In third place, Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted took $6.1 million in 44 countries. It opened in the Netherlands with $2.7 million.

Finishing fourth, the Sacha Baron Cohen comedy The Dictator took $2.6 million from 38 countries, crossing the $100 million mark over this weekend.