The film version of Dan Brown's blockbuster book The Da Vinci Code is also striking gold at the box office, taking in a staggering 224 million dollars during its opening weekend, the publication Screen International reported Monday.

That sum represents the second-biggest global launch in film history, just behind the 253.9 million dollars registered last year by Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith.

According to the publication Variety, The Da Vinci Code was the biggest-ever launch earner outside the United States, with 147 million dollars, 2 million more than Star Wars III.

The film, which had a budget of 125 million dollars, opened in every international market except India and the Mideast.