Both major new releases in the US outperformed expectations over the weekend, with Madagascar 3 topping the chart with $60 million. It was ahead of expectations and in line with the openings of the earlier films in the franchise, suggesting the movie will have legs.
Prometheus had to settle for second spot with $50 million, which was still more than many had thought it would get and very good for an R rated movie. Indeed it’s the second highest opening ever for Ridley Scott, behind Hannibal, and the 12th biggest start for an R rated movie ever.
Those were the only new openers in the top 10, although Moonrise Kingdom made its first appearance in the upper echelons of the chart, as it expanded the number of screens it was on and took $1.58 million to finish 10th, from only 96 screens, which ain’t bad at all. Here’s the top 10 films at the US box office for the weekend of June 8th-10th.
| Rank | Title | Weekend Gross (millions) | Total Gross to date (millions) |
| 1 | Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted | $60.3 | $60.3 |
| 2 | Prometheus | $50.0 | $50.0 |
| 3 | Show White And The Huntsman | $23.0 | $98.5 |
| 4 | Men In Black 3 | $13.5 | $135.5 |
| 5 | The Avengers | $10.8 | $571.8 |
| 6 | The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel | $3.2 | $31.0 |
| 7 | What To Expect When You’re Expecting | $2.7 | $35.7 |
| 8 | Battleship | $2.2 | $59.8 |
| 9 | The Dictator | $2.1 | $55.1 |
| 10 | Moonrise Kingdom | $1.5 | $3.7 |