The third film, Matrix Revolutions, will open in November

The amount, taken from box office receipts in 62 countries outside the US, is the first time the $100m mark has been broken in a film's second week.

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers had previously come closest to the figure, taking $99.4m in its second week.

The Matrix Reloaded took $154m after only 10 days on release. It made $363.5m including its US box office.

But the film lost its grip at the top of the US box office - comedy Bruce Almighty taking over the number one position.

In the UK the film went to the top of the charts, taking almost �9m.

The Matrix Reloaded has yet to open in one of its biggest potential markets, however, as the Japanese release is on 7 June. The film is currently playing more than 8,900 prints in 62 countries.

"It's an unbelievable thrill working on a film like this. We have never gone this wide this quickly," said Veronica Kwan-Rubinek, president of international distribution for Warner Bros.

Piracy concerns

The figures included $19.8m from the UK, where the film saw the fourth-biggest opening weekend in British history, and the biggest ever for a film rated 15 or higher.

The film was released across the world on the same day in an effort to beat piracy, which has become a huge problem for blockbuster Hollywood films.

The films stars Laurence Fishburne, Jada Pinkett Smith and Keanu Reeves

X Men 2 was another major film that opened across the world simultaneously in an effort to curb pirates.

The Matrix Reloaded's success has come despite lukewarm reviews, with many critics complaining about the film's pace and length.

Stars Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne and Jada Pinkett Smith have launched the movie with appearances at premi�res in Los Angeles, Cannes and London.

The sequel to 1999's The Matrix will be followed in November by a third movie, The Matrix Revolutions.

All three films are written and directed by brothers Larry and Andy Wachowski.

Warner Bros is reported to have spent $300m (�187m) on making the two follow-ups.