LOS ANGELES - Nicolas Cage's treasure hunt soaked up more box-office cash than a cartoon sponge.

Cage's "National Treasure" debuted as the No. 1 weekend movie with $35.3 million, coming in just ahead of "The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie," which opened in second with $33.5 million.

After two weekends in the No. 1 spot, the animated superhero tale "The Incredibles" slipped to third with $26.8 million. The film has made $177.8 million in three weeks.

Tom Hanks' Christmas adventure "The Polar Express" came in fourth with $15.2 million in its second weekend. Costing $170 million to make, the movie has had a cool reception from audiences, taking in $51 million in 10 days.

"National Treasure" centers on a plot to steal the Declaration of Independence to obtain the hidden clues to a colossal fortune stashed by the Founding Fathers.

Here are the top 10 movies from the weekend:

1. "National Treasure," $35.3 million.

2. "The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie," $33.5 million.

3. "The Incredibles," $26.8 million.

4. "The Polar Express," $15.2 million.

5. "Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason," $10.1 million.

6. "After the Sunset," $5.3 million.

7. "Ray, $4.6 million.

8. "The Grudge," $3.8 million.

9. "Seed of Chucky," $3.1 million.

10. "Saw," $3 million.