Captain America: The Winter Soldier has set a record as the biggest domestic April release ever.

The Disney sequel debuted with $96.2 million (£58 million), topping the previous record holder, 2011's "Fast Five," which opened with $86.2 million (£52 million). Last weekend The Winter Soldier, which stars Chris Evans as the shield -wielding superhero, commanded 32 international markets, gaining $75.2 million in its overseas bow.

Expanding to Russia, Australia and China in its second week, the Marvel comic adaptation has earned $207.1 million (£125 million) worldwide.

Paramount's biblical saga Noah, starring Russell Crowe, took a drastic dip in its second weekend, earning $17 million (£10 million) after debuting with $44 million (£26.5 million). Still, it sailed into second place, pushing Lionsgate's young adult science-fiction thriller Divergent, led by Shailene Woodley, to third with $13 million in its third week.

AP