LOS ANGELES, USA (AP) — Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides in 3-D opens with a splash in more than 4,000 American theatres this weekend, including a record-breaking 256 IMAX screens, and is expected to scuttle all competition with an opening gross in excess of US$100 million.

The first Pirates movie to be released in IMAX and 3-D, On Stranger Tides should have little trouble following in the formidable wake of its predecessors, one of the most successful film franchises of all time, after a midnight launch late Thursday. Johnny Depp reprises his celebrated role as Captain Jack Sparrow, this time with Penelope Cruz joining in the fun.

Walking down the aisle with a likely second-place finish at around US$20 million is Judd Apatow’s female-driven comedy Bridesmaids from Universal. As one of the strongest word-of-mouth movies released this year, the film’s raunchy, R-rated sensibility has boosted it to first place in a midweek box office rally. Starring SNL’s Kristen Wiig and Maya Rudolph, the film has appeal to both men and women looking for edgy summer fun at the multiplex.

Paramount’s Thor has been a box office god, topping the chart for two consecutive weekends and thus proving the continued drawing power of comic-book super heroes. Boasting a terrific ensemble cast and direction by Kenneth Branagh, known more for his Shakespearian endeavours, this above-average summer flick is expected to attract a third-place gross in the mid-teens.