"Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End" sold an estimated $126.5 million worth of tickets during the weekend, just a little short of the three-day opening record of $151 million set this month by “Spider-Man 3.”

However, “At World’s End” holds the break the four-day (Friday-Monday) Memorial Day record with a day to spare. The old mark of $123 million was set last year by "X-Men: The Last Stand."

On the overseas front, "At World's End" took in a monstrous $205.5 million internationally at 17,500 playdates in 102 markets.

Mark Zoradi, president of Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Marketing and Distribution, said he was "not a bit" disappointed by the North American tally, given the tough competition.

The film is among 14 sequels Hollywood studios are releasing this summer. The slate includes a new “Harry Potter” film from Time Warner, scheduled for July 13, and sequels to News Corp.'s “Fantastic Four” series and Universal Pictures “Bourne” thrillers.

Meanwhile, incumbent North American champ "Shrek the Third" slipped to No 2 with $51 million, a week after opening to $122 million. At No 3, Sony estimates that its "Spider-Man 3" has passed a total of $303.3 million domestically over the weekend and $499.1 million internationally.

Movie                           Rev                  Theaters        Wks        Average/          Pct       Total

                                    Mln                  Theater                         Chg                  Mln

1. Pirates 3                  $112.5             4,362               1           $25,802           --         $126.5

2. Shrek the Third        51.0                 4,172               2          12,234             -58       215.7

3. Spider-Man 3           13.7                 3,723               4          3,680               -53       303.3

4. Bug                          3.3                   1,661               1          1,963                --         3.3

5. Waitress                  3.1                   510                  4          6,029               184     5.6

6. 28 Weeks Later       2.5                   2,013               3          1,232               -55       23.6

7. Georgia Rule            1.9                   1,904               3          975                  -50       16.8

8. Disturbia                  1.8                   1,632               7          1,078               -53       74.7

9. Wild Hogs                1.1                   426                  13        2,563               159      162.9

10. Fracture                 0.80                 907                  6          1,185               -53       36.7