LOS ANGELES — Weekend movie fans went to “Rio” in big numbers.

The 20th Century Fox animated family movie“Rio” led the weekend box office with a $40 million debut. It was the best debut so far this year, topping “Rango,” by about $2 million.

The slasher comedy “Scream 4” opened at No. 2 with $19.3 million. That’s a fraction of the total of the previous two sequels, which both debuted at $30 million-plus. Estimated sales were:

1. “Rio,” $40 million.

2. “Scream 4,” $19.3 million.

3. “Hop,” $11.2 million.

4. “Soul Surfer,” $7.4 million.

5. “Hanna,” $7.3 million.

6. “Arthur,” $6.94 million.

7. “Insidious,” $6.9 million.

8. “Source Code,” $6.3 million.

9. “The Conspirator,” $3.92 million.

10. “Your Highness,” $3.9 million.