Much-awaited sequel Gladiator II scored an impressive $87m (£68.9m) at the global box office in its opening weekend, according to early figures.

The Ridley Scott epic, starring Irish actor Paul Mescal in the lead role, debuted in 63 markets internationally ahead of its release in North America this coming weekend.

The tally included £9.1m from the UK and Ireland box office, the largest international contribution, as the film topped the charts to usurp Paddington In Peru, which now has a domestic gross of £18.8m after a fortnight.

For Gladiator II, the opening weekend ranks as not only the biggest overseas R-rated opening for a Paramount Pictures movie but also director Scott's biggest international opening of his career.

The film, which has an estimated budget of $250m (£197.9m), is due out on Friday in the US and Canada, where it will compete for eyeballs with the first part of the similarly-anticipated big screen version of Wicked.