Pirates pulls off box office coup

The film, starring Johnny Depp, raked in $62.2m (£34m) during its second weekend in cinemas, bringing the film's earnings to $258.2m (£141m) so far.

"It's really fun when you're riding a comet like this," said Chuck Viane, Disney's head of distribution.

Pirates has shot past the year's next biggest earner, X-Men: The Last Stand.

NORTH AMERICAN BOX OFFICE

• 1. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest - $62.2m
• 2. Little Man - $21.7m
• 3. You, Me and Dupree - $21.3m
• 4. Superman Returns - $11.6m
• 5. The Devil Wears Prada - $10.5m

The Pirates sequel, which also stars Keira Knightley and Orlando Bloom, has made an additional $125m (£68.5m) overseas.

Elsewhere on the North American box office chart, slapstick comedy Little Man, about a tiny thief masquerading as a baby, opened as at number two with $21.7m (£12m).

Universal's comedy You, Me and Dupree, starring Owen Wilson as a house guest causing chaos for his friend and his new bride, debuted at number three with $21.3m (£11.7m).

Rounding out the top-five were Superman Returns with $11.6m (£6.36m), and The Devil Wears Prada, starring Meryl Streep, with $10.5m (£5.7m).

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