'Iron Man 2' finishes first at box office
LOS ANGELES — Tony Stark piloted to the top of the box office but not the record books.
"Iron Man 2," the sequel starring Robert Downey Jr. as Marvel's gadget-happy billionaire superhero, earned $133.6 million domestically on its opening weekend, according to distributor Paramount Pictures' estimates Sunday. The opening rocketed past the original $98.6 million debut in 2008 and landed the record as the fifth-biggest opening weekend.
"Iron Man 2" has taken in $194 million overseas since it debuted in many international markets last week, bringing its worldwide total to over $327 million. While Hollywood blockbusters typically open around the same date in most countries, some get an overseas jump of a week or more on their U.S. debuts. The biggest opening came from China with $7.3 million.
Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters:
1. "Iron Man 2," $133.6 million.
2. "A Nightmare on Elm Street," $9.1 million.
3. "How to Train Your Dragon," $6.7 million.
4. "Date Night," $5.3 million.
5. "The Back-up Plan," $4.3 million.
6. "Furry Vengeance," $4 million.
7. "Clash of the Titans," $2.3 million.
8. "Death at a Funeral," $2.1 million.
9. "The Losers," $1.8 million.
10. "Babies," $1.5 million.
