3D boosts 'Pirates' domestic bow

The latest installment of Disney's 'Pirates' is on track for smooth sailing at the box office.

Disney's ''Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides'' took first last night, bowing to $35 million domestically, $4.7 million of which came from select midnight screenings.The franchise's fourth installment should see smooth sailing this weekend. Given this year's depressed B.O., it probably won't meet the $100 million mark the Mouse was hoping for, but it should land safely in the $90 million-$100 million range pre-weekend tracking suggested.Of the film's 4,155 locations, about 65% are 3D-equipped, which should give ''Stranger Tides'' a nice B.O. boost. Additionally, the pic is opening in 257 domestic Imax runs, the largest bow ever for the wider format.While ''Stranger Tides'' isn't expected to break any domestic records -- the franchise's second installment ''Dead Man's Chest'' holds the series best with $135.6 million -- it has already set int'l records in foreign markets like Russia, where its $5 million bow on Wednesday marked an all-time industry best for the territory.Pic cumed $44.2 million overseas before opening Stateside yesterday.Universal's ''Bridesmaids'' took second with $6.4 million. The R-rated laffer has been on a roll since surpassing Paramount's ''Thor's'' daily grosses starting last Monday. ''Thor'' took third with $4.38 million.Universal's ''Fast Five'' came in fourth with $3.15 million, and Sony/Screen Gems' ''Priest'' rounded out Friday's tops with $1.45 million.

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