DreamWorks’ Transformers: Dark Of The Moon will dominate the weekend box office but Pirates Of The Caribbean: On Stranger Tides will make history when it crosses $1bn worldwide on Saturday [Jul 2].

Transformers 3 brought in $36.5m internationally through PPI on its Wednesday opening day and all eyes will be on the action sequel to see what it can do by the end of the weekend, with a $200m global tally well within its sights.

As reported here yesterday [30] the film delivered a string of impressive results, most notably perhaps scoring the biggest opening day of all time in South Korea on $5.03m, of which 53% came from 3D.

The UK generated $3.5m, rising to $4.2m including previews. Brazil and Mexico will be the two big markets launching on Jul 1.

Turning to the rest of PPI’s active slate, Kung Fu Panda 2 has been the top earner in recent weekends and has amassed an excellent $351.9m, while Super 8 stands at $39.6m. Thor debuts in Japan and the film has grossed $259.9m thus far.

Pirates 4 meanwhile has notched up $761.9m overseas through Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures International and $231m in North America, resulting in $992.9m worldwide. The coveted $1bn target looks likely this weekend.

Universal’s hit comedy Bridesmaids stands at $26.5m through UPI. Universal also launches historical drama The Conspirator in the UK and Your Highness in Spain.

Fox International’s X-Men: First Class stands at $188.1m. Mr Popper’s Penguins has grossed an early $4.3m so far and arrives in Australia and Brazil this weekend.

The rom-com Monte Carlo opens day-and-date with North America in 11 markets including Russia and Singapore. Black Swan has reached $220.6m and Cedar Rapids arrives in Italy.

Fox International opens The Way Back in Germany and Win Win in Spain.

Warner Bros Pictures International’s Green Lantern has grossed $31m and there are no new markets this weekend.

Larry Crowne gets a push day-and-date with North America this weekend through Summit International licensees. The rom-com stars Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts and arrives in the UK and Germany, among others.

Terrence Malick’s Palme d’Or winner The Tree Of Life stands at $19.6m and opens in Australia.

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