The movie, which is set to be the benchmark for many studios contemplating a move into 3D production, could set off an avalanche of 3D movies for cinemas and a new generation of 3D TVs, which will be launched at next week's CES show in Las Vegas, says Price Waterhouse Coopers, which recently conducted an extensive investigation of the 3D movie industry.

The movie, which has taken over $500 million worldwide in 10 days and $278 million in the US alone, beat the old US opening record of $260.8 million for the first 10 days.

James Cameron's 3-D epic Avatar, which was distributed by the News Ltd-owned Fox, is set to used by several TV vendors to lure consumers into buying a 3D TV when the movie is released to Blu-ray in coming weeks.

Fox said the film was No. 1 in all markets, except for India where it followed a local title.

Avatar garnered almost as much attention for its reported record-breaking budget of at least $300 million as for its eco-friendly tale of a disabled ex-Marine sent from Earth to infiltrate an alien race of 3-metre-tall blue people in order to save his polluted planet.