"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.

"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.

NEW STILL FROM TIM BURTON'S "DARK SHADOWS"

Still from Dark Shadows

Spooky! Tim Burton is almost ready to serve up his next Film Dark Shadows, based on the TV Series of the same name in the mid-'60s. Starring once again his male Muse Johnny Depp, the Supernatural Drama centers around a young Boy named Barnabas and his family who move from England to America. Barnabas grows up to be a wealthy Playboy but breaks the heart of a Witch named Angelique (Eva Green) who buries him alive. 20 years later, he is set free and returns to his former residence, now occupied by strangers with deep, dark secrets of their own.

Some new Stills have surfaced from Dark Shadows including the one above with a menacing Depp, haunting Michelle Pfeiffer, perhaps extending an unwelcome stay.  The Film also stars Chloë Moretz, Jonny Lee Miller, Jackie Earle Haley, Alice Cooper and of course the brilliant Mrs. Burton herself, Helena Bonham Carter.

May 11, 2012 is Warner Bros.' slated release date for Dark Shadows.

(Photo credit: Warner Bros.)