"MADAGASCAR 3" IS MOST WANTED AT BOX OFFICE

Still from Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted

The Box Office is alive with not one but two huge Debuts this weekend. 20th Century Fox's Prometheus was caught in a heated battle with Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted, but alas it was the the latter which prevailed with $59.6 million from 4,258 theatres for Paramount Pictures. Compared to its Predecessors, it earned just slightly less than 2008's Sequel in the Franchise, which had opened with $63 million.

Touted as a Prequel to Aliens, Prometheus directed by Sir Ridley Scott pulled-in a healthy $21.4 million on Friday alone based on the strength of Midnight Screenings.  It goes on to make $49.5 million this weekend from 3,396 theatres. Coincidentally, both Top Two Films earned approximately 75% on Rotten Tomatoes' Tomatometer, equally well-received by Critics.

Last week's Champion Snow White & The Huntsman slips to number three this weekend in its second week of release with $23 million. To date, it already has made $98.5 domestically for Universal Pictures.

MIB 3 earns $15 million this weeekend in its third week of release, just ahead of the Monster known as Marvel's The Avengers with $12 million it its sixth week.

Best Exotic Marigold Hotel continues to impress also in its sixth week for Fox Searchlight, earning $3.1 million - good enough for sixth spot in only 1,298 theatres.

Dark Shadows rounds out the Top Ten with $1.5 million this weekend, earning $73.9 million in five weeks for Warner Bros. in North America.