Men In Black 3 Dethrones The Avengers In Weekend Box-Office Estimates

With Box Office Mojo reporting weekend box office results, it appears that Marvel’s The Avengers has finally completed its long reign at number one. Men in Black 3 was the top-earning film over the Friday-to-Sunday frame, grossing an estimated $55 million. That’s probably less than Columbia hoped for, given the film’s $215 million budget and sizable marketing costs, but with Monday yet to be factored in for Memorial Day weekend, the film could reach the more palatable $70 million range for the four-day frame.

The weekend’s only other major release, Chernobyl Diaries, flopped with only $8 million in fifth place. Terrible reviews and a D+ Cinemascore from audiences ensures it will have trouble even doubling that measly take over its domestic release.

Despite falling to number two, The Avengers continued to perform spectacularly, earning $36.9 million, a drop of only 33.5% from last weekend. That brings its domestic gross to $513.6 million in just four weeks of release, setting an American record for fastest to $500 million. It is expected to outgross 2008’s The Dark Knight by next weekend and take the number three spot on the list of all-time domestic earners.

The same can not be said of other summer releases. After a disappointing opening, Battleship tumbled a steep 57% to take another $10.8 million at number three. With only $277 million earned worldwide on a $209 million production budget, Universal will be taking a major write-off on this one.

Filling out the top five, The Dictator held a bit better than expected, falling 44.9% to fourth place with $9.6 million. With $71 million earned worldwide on a $65 million budget and unimaginable marketing costs (Sacha Baron Cohen was everywhere for this movie), its best hope at this point is to break even.

Though it didn’t make the top ten, Wes Anderson‘s Moonrise Kingdom had an extremely notable opening. Playing in only four theatres nationwide, it earned $509,000, the highest-grossing limited release opening on record. That bodes very, very well for its financial prospects as it expands throughout June.

Weekend Estimates – Top Ten

1. Men in Black 3 – $55 million

2. The Avengers – $36.9 million

3. Battleship – $10.8 million

4. The Dictator – $9.6 million

5. Chernobyl Diaries – $8 million

6.  Dark Shadows – $7.5 million

7. What To Expect When You’re Expecting – $7.2. million

8. The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel – $6.4 million

9. The Hunger Games – $2.8 million

10. Think Like A Man – $1.4 million