LOS ANGELES — It was a photo finish between fanboys and families this weekend, as "Kick-Ass" opened below expectations in a surprising virtual tie at the top of the box office charts with the animated "How to Train Your Dragon."

Despite pre-release polling that indicated the obscenity-laden, hyper-violent take on superhero culture would take in around $30 million, "Kick-Ass" finished the weekend with ticket sales of $19.75 million in the U.S. and Canada, according to an estimate from distributor Lionsgate.

Paramount Pictures estimated that "How to Train Your Dragon" collected $20 million from Friday through Sunday, giving it a razor-thin first-place victory. However, other studios with no connection to either film had varying opinions on which was No. 1, making the top spot essentially a toss-up until final figures are compiled on Monday. However, since "Dragon" played on 3-D screens with higher ticket prices, "Kick-Ass" was certainly seen by more people.

"Death at a Funeral," the only other movie to launch nationwide this weekend, opened to a respectable $17 million. for the remake of a 2007 British comedy includes Chris Rock and Tracy Morgan in an ensemble cast.

It landed in fourth place, beat by "Kick-Ass" and two previously released movies being driven by strong buzz.

DreamWorks Animation's "How to Train Your Dragon" dropped just 20 percent on its fourth weekend, continuing a string of modest declines that have driven it from a soft opening to a healthy $158.6 million total, roughly on par with DreamWorks' "Monsters vs. Aliens" at the same point last year. Overseas, "Dragon" has already taken in $176.5 million and, with several major territories including Japan left to go, will easily outpace the $183 million international total for "Monsters."

Word of mouth appears to be almost as good for the Steve Carell-Tina Fey romantic comedy "Date Night," which declined only 31 percent on its second weekend to $17.3 million.