‘Dawn Treader’ sails to No. 1 berth


December 13, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

Associated Press

LOS ANGELES

The latest chapter in “The Chronicles of Narnia” saga has sailed to the top of the weekend box office, though the franchise sank to a weak debut compared to the first two movies.

“The Voyage of the Dawn Treader,” the third in the franchise based on C.S. Lewis’ fantasy novels, took in $24.5 million domestically, according to studio estimates Sunday.

Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie’s romantic thriller “The Tourist” opened in second-place with $17 million.

The previous weekend’s No. 1 movie, Disney’s animated musical “Tangled,” slipped to third place with $14.6 million, raising its domestic total to $115.6 million.

Hollywood remains in a lull as it heads into the Christmas frenzy. Among the movies that will compete for holiday audiences are Jeff Bridges’ sci-fi tale “Tron: Legacy,” Robert De Niro and Ben Stiller’s sequel “Little Fockers,” Jack Black’s comic adventure “Gulliver’s Travel’s” and Reese Witherspoon’s romance “How Do You Know.”

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Hollywood.com:

  1. “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader,” $24.5 million.

  2. “The Tourist,” $17 million.

  3. “Tangled,” $14.6 million.

  4. “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1,” $8.5 million.

  5. “Unstoppable,” $3.8 million.

  6. “Black Swan,” $3.3 million.

  7. “Burlesque,” $3.2 million.

  8. “Love & Other Drugs,” $3 million.

  9. “Due Date,” $2.55 million.

  10. “Megamind,” $2.5 million.