'Up' is tops at box office

By Adnan Tezer Jun 1, 2009, 23:25 GMT

Disney/Pixar’s “Up” dominated the domestic weekend box office with an estimated $68.2 million. 

Fox’s “Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian” came in second at $25.5 million. Universal’s “Drag Me to Hell” came in third at $16.6 million in its opening weekend.

“Drag Me to Hell” came in below what outsiders had predicted but was in line with studio expectations, according to Universal distribution chief Nikki Rocco. According to Variety, Rocco believes that “Drag Me to Hell” should benefit in coming weeks from a number of positive reviews.

“Terminator Salvation” continued its downward spiral as it finished with $16.1 million. The fourth outing in the franchise has grossed $90.7 million domestically in 11 days and won’t finish anywhere near the $150 million final gross for 2003’s “Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines.”

Paramount’s “Star Trek,” continued its strong showing with $12.8 million. “Trek” has grossed $209.5 million domestically, becoming the year’s first title to cross the $200 million mark.

Sony’s “Angels and Demons” fell to $11.2 million for the weekend but has shown better legs overseas with $32.9 million for an international total of $251.7 million. “Angels” is easily the biggest 2009 film in international markets with more than double its current domestic gross of $104.8 million.