The takings equated to New Zealand's biggest ever opening for an R-rated film, edging out previous record holders The Hangover II and Hannibal. Across the ditch, website The Hollywood Reporter claimed the film took $8.6 million in Australia - the country's biggest non-holiday opening.
In the UK and Ireland the film took $21.5 million.
Fifty Shades of Grey opened to a US$81.7 million in the US domestic market, and took an additional US$158 million in 58 international markets.
The film secured the biggest opening of all time in 11 countries including Argentina, Italy, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and the Ukraine.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the Fifty Shades trilogy of erotic novels has been translated into 52 languages and sold more than 100 million copies worldwide.
NZH