'Thor' Maintains US Weekend Reign

MAY 16, 2011 - With an above-average hold, Thor easily stayed at the top of the North America box office over the weekend. Bridesmaids settled at second place, though its opening was impressive for an R-rated comedy with no proven talent in front of the camera.

The weekend's other newcomer Priest didn't fare as well, opening behind many comparable titles. Overall box office was off around five percent from last year, when Iron Man 2 held on to first place.

Thor dipped 48 percent to an estimated US$34.5 million to bring its 10-day total to US$119.3 million. With Thor and Fast Five currently monopolising young male audiences and Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides looming on the horizon, Priest looks set to be left out of next Weekend's Top 5.

Meanwhile, Rio rounded out the Top Five for the second weekend in a row, declining a light six percent to US$8 million.

Here are the Top 5 North American B-O studio estimates for May 13 - 15, 2011 weekend, in terms of rank, (previous week ranking), Movie name (studio), Weekend takings in USD, (Cumulative gross, USD) and week on chart, courtesy of Boxofficemojo. (US$1=RM3)

1. (1) Thor (Paramount) $34.5 million ($119.3 million) 2

2. (-) Bridesmaids (Universal) $24.4 million ($24.4 million) 1

3. (2) Fast Five (Universal) $19.5 million ($168.8 million) 3

4. (-) Priest (Sony /Screen Gems) $14.5 million ($14.5 million) 1

5. (5) Rio (Fox) $8 million ($125 million) 5