Box Office: ‘DRAGON’ Slays Competition with $43.3 Million; HOT TUB TIME MACHINE Opens with $13.6 Million

Alice in Wonderland was finally defeated at the weekend box office by Dreamwork’s animated feature How to Train Your Dragon. Alice had dominated the top spot for three weeks making over $290 million and becoming the years highest grossing film thus far. The higher ticket prices for 3D features certainly helped Alice bank the cash it has since it opened, and these same ticket prices are to thank for How to Train Your Dragon’s $43.3 million opening weekend. While not as high as Alice’s $117 million opening, Dragon did make enough to secure the number one spot, but with Clash of the Titans hitting theaters next week (in 3D also) it may not have a very long run at the number one spot. For a full breakdown of the weekend box office continue reading.

Falling to the number two spot this weekend was Alice in Wonderland which managed to rake in another $17.3 million bringing its three week total to a whopping $293.1 million. Alice has become the highest grossing film for director Tim Burton, and by next weekend the film will have crossed the $300 million mark in domestic box office tickets.

The other new wide release this weekend was the comedy Hot Tub Time Machine starring John Cusack which performed below expectations with only $13.6 million for opening weekend. With fairly positive reviews, the comedy didn’t draw in a Hangover kind of audience, despite the comedic comparisons. After seeing Hot Tub Time Machine, I can tell you that it is no Hangover.

The number four spot went to The Bounty Hunter starring Jennifer Aniston and Gerard Butler. With another $12.4, Bounty Hunter has only managed to pull in $38.8 million.

Last weeks surprise success is the number five movie this week. The kids movie Diary of a Whimpy Kid made $10 million which gives the flick a total of $35 million. Not bad for a budget of only $15 million.

Below is a list of the top ten highest grossing films at the North American box office for the weekend of March 26-28th

1. How To Train Your Dragon- $43,300,000; $43,300,000

2. Alice In Wonderland- $17,300,000; $293,100,000

3. How Tub Time Machine- $13,650,000; $13,650,000

4. The Bounty Hunter- $12,400,000; $38,812,000

5. Diary Of A Wimpy Kid- $10,000,000; $35,776,000

6. She’s Out Of My League- $3,526,000; $25,601,000

7. Green Zone- $3,350,000; $30,440,000

8. Shutter Island- $3,175,000; $120,600,000

9. Repo Men- $3,048,000; $11,342,000

10. Our Family Wedding- $2,200,000; $16,785,000

*First number indicates weekend gross. Second number is cumulative total since opening.