Fifty Shades of Grey remains on the top of the North American box office for a second weekend, taking an estimated $23.2 million.

The adaptation of E.L. James’s best-selling novel earned an additional $68 million overseas.

Fifty Shades of Grey is directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson and stars Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson.

Despite its continued success, its takings fell by 73% from its record-breaking $85 million Valentine’s Day debut.

The movie’s opening weekend takings beat previous record-holder The Passion of the Christ’s $83.9 million in 2004.

E.L. James’s trilogy of Fifty Shades books have reportedly sold more than 100 million copies worldwide and been translated into more than 50 languages.

Following on from Fifty Shades in the chart was action spy film Kingsman: The Secret Service, which held on to the number two spot in the box office chart for a second week, taking $17.5 million.

Animated movie The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water similarly maintained its position at No 3, earning $15.5 million in its third week of release.

Rounding up the top five films were two new releases.

Disney’s cross-country racing tale McFarland, USA starring Kevin Costner opened at number four with $11.3 million.

While high school comedy The DUFF opened at No 5, taking $11 million.

A few Oscar contenders received a boost at the box office ahead of Sunday’s 87th annual Academy Awards.

American Sniper, which was up for six awards and won one for sound editing, took another $9.6 million, putting it in the number six position in its ninth weekend of release.

The Imitation Game, nominated for eight Academy Awards and winning one for best adapted screenplay, came in at number nine with $2.5 million in its 13th weekend.

Still Alice, for which Julianne Moore won the best actress Oscar, earned $2.2 million after its release was extended to 765 cinemas in its sixth weekend.

[youtube SfZWFDs0LxA 650]