'The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers' topped the US box office chart again last weekend to increase the film's total takings to $261m.
The second of director Peter Jackson's Tolkien adaptations grossed $25m in North American cinemas, hanging on to the number one slot for a third week running.
These figures mean the film is on course to become one of 2003's major blockbusters.
At number two for the second week running was Steven Spielberg's 'Catch Me if You Can', with takings of $21.1m at the weekend.
Romantic comedies 'Two Weeks Notice' - with Hugh Grant and Sandra Bullock - and 'Maid in Manhattan' - starring Jennifer Lopez - were at numbers three and four respectively.
The hotly tipped Oscar contender 'About Schmidt', starring Jack Nicholson, was at number five.
'Catch Me If You Can' is released in Ireland on 31 January, 'Two Week's Notice' is due out on 8 February, and 'About Schmidt' is set for release here on 24 January.
