The Batman film “The Dark Knight Rises” topped the North American box office for a third consecutive week despite last month’s mass shooting at a US screening, industry figures showed Monday.
The final installment in the Batman trilogy starring British actor Christian Bale as the Caped Crusader was well above its competitors, bringing in $35.7 million, according to movie tracker Exhibitor Relations.
Twelve people were killed and 58 wounded when a gunman opened fire during a midnight premiere of the film in Aurora, Colorado, on July 20, a massacre which overshadowed the movie’s launch.
In second place, with $25.6 million on its debut weekend, was science fiction action remake “Total Recall,” starring Colin Farrell alongside Kate Beckinsale and Jessica Biel.
Teen comedy “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days,” was third, opening with $14.6 million, putting it well ahead of “Ice Age: Continental Drift,” the fourth installment of the popular animated series, which took in $8.6 million.
Fifth place went to “The Watch,” starring Ben Stiller and Vince Vaughn as part of a suburban neighborhood watch team fighting off an alien invasion. The film brought in $6.5 million at the box office.
Sixth slot went to “Step Up: Revolution,” a 3-D dance film, which took in $5.9 million, putting it ahead of “Ted,” a comedy directed by “Family Guy” creator Seth MacFarlane in which Mark Wahlberg’s childhood toy comes to life. Ted secured $5.6 million during its sixth weekend on the chart.
“The Amazing Spider-Man” ($4.4 million) and Pixar studio’s 3-D animated fairytale “Brave” ($3.0 million) took eighth and ninth spot, respectively.
Rounding out the top 10 was “Magic Mike,” starring Channing Tatum and Matthew McConaughey as male strippers, with $1.4 million.
Batman stays on top at North American box office
