Weekend Estimates: Avengers Sink Battleship

May 20, 2012

The Avengers will continue as the undisputed hit of the Summer this weekend, as it has proved to be too much competition for another contender. After defeating Dark Shadows last weekend, the superhero movie has crushed Battleship in its domestic debut. The nautical action movie will earn an estimated $25.35 million this weekend, according to Universal, a drop in its $209 million (according to the studio) production budget. With $55 million, Avengers will pass $450 million in its 17th day in release, marking another record.

This weekend's other openers, The Dictator and What to Expect When You're Expecting both did about in line with modest expectations, the former picking up $17.4 million Friday-Sunday for $24.46 million since its Wednesday release, and the latter posting a $10.5 million opening. Both films benefit from having much lower budgets than their blockbuster brethren.

One other notable performer this weekend is The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, which has now expanded to 354 theaters and will post about $3.25 million in its third weekend for a 6th-place finish for the weekend.

- Weekend Estimates

Bruce Nash,

Filed under: Weekend Estimates, Dark Shadows, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, The Dictator, What to Expect When You're Expecting