"MIB 3" DEBUTS ON-TOP: SNAPS "AVENGERS" STREAK

Still from MIB 3

At long last, Marvel's The Avengers have met their match in MIB 3. In its fourth week of release, the Blockbuster falls to second spot. Sony Pictures earns a stellar $55 million off the third installment in the popular Will Smith-starring Men in Black Franchise, which is below some projections which forecast it to make upwards of $70 million. MIB 3 has received v. positive reviews, garnering 68% on the Tomatometer. The Avengers earns $36.9 million this weekend, which on any other weekend easily would place it at the top.

Battleship earns $10.8 million in its second week, now tallying $44.3 million in North America. Fret not though as overseas it has earned a total $232 million.

The Dictator finds itself in fourth this weekend with $9.6 million for Paramount Pictures, well on its way to recouping that hefty $62 million budget.

Warner Bros.' Horror The Chernobyl Diaries debuts in fifth spot with $8 million, just ahead of another Film from the Studio, Dark Shadows, in sixth spot with $7.5 million.

Fox Searchlight continues to see excellent results with Best Exotic Marigold Hotel in eighth spot with $6.3 million, expanding to 1,233 theatres, while former Champ Think Like a Man rounds out the Top Ten with $1.4 million.

"MARVEL'S THE AVENGERS" SINKS "BATTLESHIP"

Still from The Avengers

For the third consecutive week Marvel's The Avengers steals the show at the Box Office, earning a stellar $56.5 million.  Its North American gross thus far is $450 million, making it rather difficult for any other Film seeing a release these past few weekends.

Universal Pictures' Battleship, despite doing v. well overseas earning $250 million to-date, opens in North America only with $25 million from 3,690 theatres. Critics have been harsh on the Film, garnering only a 36% rating on Rotten Tomatoes' Tomatometer. Although $25 million isn't an embarrassment by any means, expectations were much higher with the Action Blockbuster being pegged to make between $35-$40 million originally in its Debut.

The Dictator from Paramount Pictures opens with $17 million and after opening on Wednesday night, earns $26 million total.  This also is below Studio expectations, with it being made for a total $60 million. Critics on the bright side have given the Sacha Baron Cohen-written and starring Comedy favourable reviews, earning 61% on the Tomatometer.

Dark Shadows has the misfortune of having to go its second week against some v. stiff competition after opening last week against a still-strong Marvel's The Avengers.  This weekend it pulls-in $12.5 million this weekend with a total $50 million now domestically; it was made for $150 million.

What to Expect When You're Expecting gave the Ladies a choice this weekend with many of the Top Ten Films being v. much Male-centric.  It opens with $10.5 million for Lionsgate Films/Alliance Films, just ahead of Fox Searchlight's Best Exotic Marigold Hotel which makes $3.5 million this weekend from only 354 theatres - not bad at all. Pirates! Band of Misfits rounds out the Top Ten with $1.6 million in this its fourth week.

"BATTLESHIP" OPENS AT #1 IN 26 TERRITORIES

Battleship Promo Photo

Believe it or not, Battleship is pulling-in some major numbers overseas as per Deadline.  The Action/Fantasy based upon the Board Game by Hasbro has debuted at number one in 26 territories, earning $58 million in its debut already. And even though it doesn't open in North America until May 18, 2012 via Universal Pictures, the $200-million Film starring Taylor Kitsch, Liam Neeson, Rihanna, Brooklyn Decker and Alexander Skarsgård is expected to debut huge here.

The odd thing however, is that its Star Kitsch seems to be veering more towards success overseas when he actually is known best in these parts for his work on Football Series Friday Night Lights - about as American as it gets. Case in point, Disney's John Carter already has made over $200 million out of the total $269 it has earned thus far at the Box Office, has come from foreign territories.

Even I had to re-watch the Trailer to see what the fuss was all about! Will you be seeing Battleship next month?

Watch the Trailer below: