While The Golden Compass was largely accountable for the 14.5% week-on-week increase in the international top 40, two new entries from France made their presence known taking a collective $4.3m.

For the full international chart, compiled by Len Klady, click here.

Roissy Films' comedy L'Auberge Rouge was the second highest new entry, coming in at number nine with a $3.1m take. The film, directed by Gerard Krawczyk (Taxi 2, 3 and 4) played across 904 screens for a $3,398 screen average. The film opened in four territories including Russia, where it enjoyed a $771,012 take over 298 screens.

And animated adventure Tous A L'Oeust: Une Aventure De Lucky Luke opened to $1.2m at the weekend, putting it within the top 30. The film, based on the TV series from Olivier Jean Marie, played on 535 screens for a $2,268 screen average. It is released through Pathe Distribution.

Japan's A Tale Of Mari And Three Puppies was the third highest opener this weekend. The drama, based on the true story of three puppies and their mother survived the 2004 earthquake in Yamakoshi Village, generated $2.5m in its home territory. It is distributed by Toho and boasted the second highest screen average at $7,654 across 333 screens.

This, in addition to three strong holdovers released through Toho, made Japanese films accountable for 4% of the top 40 total revenue. Always: Sunset On Third Street 2 fell 29% in its sixth week to number 26. The drama, based on Ryohei Saigan's comic generated $1.3m from 288 screens for a $4,420 screen average. Sky Of Love and Sanjuro dropped 41% and 38% respectively, generating more than $2m collectively.

Eros International's romantic thriller Dus Kahaniyaan marks the fifth new entry this weekend. The Indian film opened to number 23, taking nearly $1.4m across 671 screens in 17 territories for a $2,015 screen average. It is the directorial debut for Jasmeet Dhodhi, who co-directs with a slew of other directors including Sanjay Gupta and Apoorva Lakhia.

Four Italian titles generated more than $5.2m, accounting for 3.7% of the chart's total revenue. Winx Club: Il Segreto Del Regno stayed within the top 20 in its second week, despite dropping 45%. Based on Iginio Straffi's TV series Winx Club, the Rainbow S.p.A. production grossed $1.8m from 523 screens for a $3,337 screen average. It has a $5.8m tally to date.

Medusa's Matrimonio Alle Bahamas fell a modest 19% to number 18 with a $1.7m take from 274 screens. The comedy was number three at the Italian box office and has generated nearly $15m after four weekends on release.

And Walt Disney's Milano Palermo: Il Ritorno fell 38% to number 34 while Universal/UIP's Lezioni Di Cioccolato re-entered the chart despite dropping 12%. Both films failed to cross the $1m mark this weekend.

China Film's One Foundation was up 22% at the weekend, generating nearly $2m from 300 screens in its second weekend. The comedy, about how mobile phones change people's lives, boasted a $6,529 screen average and has a $3.9m tally to date.

Two Korean holdovers are still fighting hard in the international arena - Prime Entertainment's Seven Days dropped just 17% by one place, keeping within the top 20. The crime story enjoyed a $1.7m take on 270 screens in its home territory for a $6,241 screen average. It has a $12.2m tally after four weekends on release.

CJ Entertainment's Le Grand Chef crept up five places to number 35, despite a 15% drop. The comedy failed to cross the $1m mark at a $908,470 take over the weekend but enjoys a near $20m tally to date.

Elsewhere, DreamWorks/Paramount animation Bee Movie was up 62% after expanding in 10 territories including Brazil and Australia whileMr Brooks and Hairspray both re-entered the chart. Mr Brooks enjoyed a $1.1m take after opening in Spain while Hairspray trailed just behind with a $1.09 take after opening in South Korea.

The top 40 international films generated $144.7m from 38,530 screens for the period of December 7-9.

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