Tent Pole Box Office

Where the name of the game is creating screen entertainment that oodles of people will come and see.

This weekend, Ridley Scott's science fiction prequel and some African animals appear to fill that bill.

1. Prometheus (Fox) NEW [3,396 Theaters] R
Friday $21M, Weekend $55M

2. Madagascar 3 (DreamWorks Anim/Paramount) NEW [4,258 Theaters] PG Friday $21M, Weekend $58M

3. Snow White & The Huntsman (Universal) Week 2 [3,777 Theaters] PG13 Friday $7.3M (-64%), Weekend $23M, Cume $98.5M

4. Men In Black 3 (Sony) Week 3 [3,792 Theaters] PG13 Friday $4.3M, Weekend $15M, Cume $137M

5. The Avengers (Marvel/Disney) Week 6 [3,129 Theaters] PG13
Friday $3.3M, Weekend $12M, Cume $573M

6. Best Exotic Marigold (Fox Searchlight) Week 6 [1,298 Theaters] PG13 Friday $874K, Weekend $3.1M, Cume $30.9M

7. What To Expect When (Lionsgate) Week 4 [2,087 Theaters] PG13
Friday $850K, Weekend $2.7M, Cume $35.7

8. Battleship (Universal) Week 4 [1,954 Theaters] PG13
Friday $700K, Weekend $2.4M, Cume $60.0M

9. The Dictator (Paramount) Week 4 [1,651 Theaters] R
Friday $625K, Weekend $2.0M, Cume $50.1M

10. Dark Shadows (Warner Bros) Week 5 [1,550 Theaters] PG13
Friday $425K, Weekend $1.5M, Cume $73.9M ...

Madagascar 3 has a 76% score from Rotten Tomatoes, and solid launches overseas. So the third installment of the series will probably perform in exemplary fashion.

Add On: Mad 3, on top of solid critical reviews, received a Cinemascore of "A" from moviegoers, which bodes well for the long-term prospects of the feature. It has the family trade to itself until Brave hits the multiplexes.

Add On Too: The Nikkster tells us:

... Prometheus (3,396 theaters) edged Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted (4,258 theaters) in a dog fight for #1 on Friday. But the toon came back with a +8% kiddie bounce on Saturday to end its opening weekend with a fierce $59.6M. ...