Shrek 2 proves to be a box office ogre

RECORD-BREAKING Shrek 2 cast a bigger box-office spell than first imagined, convincing distributor DreamWorks SKG that even grumpy green ogres can live happily ever after — at least for two more sequels.

Opening in a record 4,163 cinemas last Wednesday, the computer-animated storybook satire posted $129 million (€106.6m) in ticket sales during its first five days across North America, the most ever for a mid-week release.

The previous five-day record for a Wednesday opening was set in December by The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, which grossed $124.1m (€102.5m) through its first Sunday.