The Hunger Games: Catching Fire blazed bright and strong in the global box office, earning $307.7M in its opening weekend, reports MSN News. With a bigger budget at $130M compared to The Hunger Games 2012's $78M, the Jennifer Lawrence smash hit shattered records with the biggest haul for November, and proved that The Hunger Games franchise is a force to be reckoned with.

In the US and Canada, ticket sales totalled $161M covering only 4 days of show times, Thursday through Sunday. Its foreign earnings totalled $146.6M, as it was shown in 65 markets across the globe, according to Entertainment Weekly.

Who could resist the heroine Katniss Everdeen, the brilliant archer who unintentionally became the icon of rebellion and hope in post-apocalyptic Panem? Screaming fans wearing Catching Fire tees proved that gorgeous teenage warriors are indeed a hit among moviegoers, which this year comprise of both young and mature viewers, compared to 2012's first instalment. Notably, the male audience this year increased 12%.

Critics have so far only praises for the film, especially on the performance of its star, Jennifer Lawrence. The Oscar winner reportedly brought a new dimension to the character, making Katniss Everdeen more of a well-loved and adored heroine than just a feisty voice, the narrator in the novels from which the film is based.

Movie analyst Phil Contrino (Boxoffice.com) says The Hunger Games series is expected to continue its trail of success, "The strength of the 'Hunger Games' franchise is not to be underestimated; this property has clearly expanded its fan base in a big way both at home and overseas," reports MSN News.

Catching Fire trailed second for biggest debuts in 2013, behind "Iron Man 3," which earned $174.1 million. The first instalment of the trilogy raked in higher profit at $691.2 million worldwide.

Based on the trilogy of novels penned by Suzanne Collins, the final book entitled Mockingjay will be developed and released in two parts. The first instalment is scheduled for release in November 2014, while the second will be released on November 2015.

Meanwhile, other box-office hits include "Thor: The Dark World" with $14.1 million domestic sales and about $550 million in global earnings. The comedy "The Best Man Holiday" came in third, raking in $12.5 million. It stars Taye Diggs and Terence Howard. "Delivery Man," a comedy about fathering 500 children, earned $8.2 million and came in fourth; it stars Vince Vaughn as the fortunate sperm donor.