Avatar, an eye-popping extravaganza starring Sam Worthington as an ex-Marine on an alien planet, has toppled one of the many box office records set by James Cameron's earlier epic, Titanic. (Twentieth Century Fox)

James Cameron's 3-D blockbuster Avatar has toppled one of the many records set by his earlier epic, Titanic.

Kapuskasing, Ont.-born Cameron's science fiction extravaganza spent a sixth consecutive week atop box offices in markets around the globe.

Its total haul of $1.288 billion US internationally (not including North America) has knocked Titanic (with $1.242 billion) to No. 2 — after the historical romance had reigned as champion for more than a decade, according to estimates from Avatar distributor, 20th Century Fox.

Avatar, about a paraplegic ex-Marine who goes undercover on an alien planet by inhabiting a lab-created avatar body, is also poised to set other records.

Within the next few weeks, it is expected to become the highest grossing film of all time in North America, with its approximately $552 million US quickly encroaching on Titanic's $601 million US.

Fox also revealed on Sunday that Avatar is just $2 million US away from a worldwide record — a title that includes both international and North American figures. It has so far grossed $1.841 billion US worldwide, versus Titanic's $1.843 billion US.

The film, which nabbed the best drama award at the Golden Globes last week, is among the prominent contenders for the Academy Awards, nominations for which will be announced Feb. 2.

The numbers, however, are not adjusted for inflation and many have pointed out that Avatar's sales have been boosted by the fact that audiences pay a premium to watch the film in 3-D and Imax.

According to industry tracker Box Office Mojo, if prices were adjusted for inflation, North America's biggest movie of all time would still be 1939's Gone With the Wind.