The Return of the King has been widely acclaimed

Peter Jackson's epic has now made $942.7m (�517.9m) worldwide, and is expected to pass the $1bn mark after it is released in Japan on 14 February.

Only Titanic from 1997 and Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, released in 2001, have taken more money.

The other two films in the trilogy, The Fellowship of the Ring and The Two Towers, are also in the top 10.

The Return of the King has been widely acclaimed by fans and critics, and is in the running for the prized best picture Oscar.

It is favourite to sweep this year's Academy Awards with 11 nominations, including best director and best adapted screenplay.

It has already won four Golden Globes, including best film and best director for Peter Jackson.

It also triumphed at the Empire magazine film awards, winning best film, while Jackson won the Directors Guild Of America (DGA) award.