'Thor' blasts rivals to stay atop US box office
May 16th, 2011
"Thor" fought off all comers to stay perched atop the north American box office for a second week, although wedding-themed "Bridesmaids" made a strong entrance, estimates showed Sunday.
Starring Chris Hemsworth as the epic hero banished to Earth from the mystical world of Asgard, where he meets human love interest Natalie Portman, the big budget film took $34.5 million since opening Friday.
The fantastical adventure, which knocked "Fast Five" off the top spot last week, made nearly $120 million in its first two weekends, according to tracker company Exhibitor Relations.
Sweeping straight up the aisle into second place was new entry "Bridesmaids," a comedy about an oddball group of women preparing for their Big Day supporting roles, which earned $24.4 million.
"Fast Five," the fifth volume in the high-speed car chase series, dropped back into third spot after accelerating to the biggest premiere this year, taking $19.5 million on its third week in theaters.
In fourth place was another newcomer, horror flick "Priest" starring Paul Bettany on the hunt for vampires who kidnapped his niece, which made $14.5 million in its opening weekend.
Hovering in fifth spot for the second week was family-friendly tropical bird comedy "Rio," which took $8 million for a total of $125 million over its five-week run.
"Jumping the Broom," about two African-American families meeting for a wedding, dropped from its opening third place last week to sixth spot this weekend, earning $7.3 million.
Romantic comedy "Something Borrowed" came seventh with $7 million, followed by depression-era romance "Water for Elephants," with British heartthrob Robert Pattinson and Reese Witherspoon, in eighth with $4.1 million.
Rounding out the top 10 were critically-panned "Madea's Big Happy Family," which took in $2.2 million for ninth place, while "Soul Surfer" stayed upright to make $1.8 million on its sixth week in theaters, in 10th spot.
