"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.

"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.