LOS ANGELES (AP) — “The Avengers” continues to muscle out everything else Hollywood throws at it, easily sinking naval rival “Battleship” and other new releases.
With $55.1 million domestically, Disney’s superhero sensation remained No. 1 for a third-straight weekend and took in more than the three big newcomers combined. Overseas, “The Avengers” added an additional $56 million.
The film is approaching the $1.2 billion mark worldwide, totaling $457.1 million domestically and $723.3 million internationally.
“‘The Avengers’ is dominating the marketplace so profoundly that the newcomers are having a tough time breaking in now,” said Paul Dergarabedian, analyst for box-office tracker Hollywood.com.
Universal’s “Battleship” opened a distant No. 2 with $25.4 million domestically, well below industry expectations.
But the board-game adaptation starring Liam Neeson, Taylor Kitsch and Rihanna already has grossed $226.8 million overseas since launching in April, giving it a worldwide total of $252.1 million.
“I would be glad to be No. 2 if we opened to a better number. But given the presence of an absolute juggernaut in the marketplace, there’s nothing you can do,” said Nikki Rocco, head of distribution for Universal. “Not to have a shot at being No. 1 this weekend is disappointing. But it’s a challenge with ‘Avengers’ out there.”
Sacha Baron Cohen’s comedy “The Dictator,” in which he plays a tyrannical third-world leader, debuted in third-place with $17.4 million for the weekend. Since opening Wednesday, the Paramount release has taken in $24.5 million.
