However, winding up on top this weekend was animated fourquel Ice Age: Continental Drift, which opened generally in line with expectations with $46.6 million, for a per-theater average of a solid $12,015 from around 7,600 screens at 3,881 theaters. That was in line with the first Ice Age's $46.3 million start and was higher than Dawn of the Dinosaurs' $41.7 million three-day weekend (though that film opened on a Wednesday and had earned $66.7 million through its' first five days), but only two-thirds of The Meltdown's $68 million start. On the downside, it wasn't as strong as Madagascar 3, Brave, and The Lorax's opening weekends from earlier this year. but considering that it was the third major animated movie released within the last six weeks, its' still a solid debut. Critical reception was mixed to negative, while audiences enjoyed the film, giving it a promising "A-" CinemaScore. Adding that there is no competition over the next several weeks, Ice Age 4 is well-positioned to see strong legs over the remainder of the Summer. Distributor 20th Century Fox produced the film for $100 million and had originally forecasted a debut near $40 million.Overseas, Ice Age 4 continued to set the box office on fire, with a huge $95 million in its' third overseas weekend and bringing its' international total to already an impressive $330 million. The previous installment, Dawn of the Dinosaurs, is the biggest-grossing animated movie ever overseas, with $690 million. Based on this trajectory, Ice Age is well-positioned to at least come close to that number.
After topping last weekend, The Amazing Spider-Man defied expectations for a superhero flick. Despite taking second place, the reboot to the hit franchise eased just 44% to $34.6 million, for a 13-day total of a solid $200.5 million. That was the best second-weekend hold for a superhero movie ever, topping Thor's 46 percent second weekend dip. It also proves that there is positive word-of-mouth spinning for the film. However, it is likely to take a major hit next weekend when The Dark Knight Rises invades theaters.
Sliding to third place, Ted continued to hold extremely well, down just 30% in its' third weekend to $22.4 million. With a strong $159.3 million in 17 days, $200 million is now guaranteed for the R-rated comedy. In the face of Ice Age 4, Brave held decently, down 43% to $11.2 million, for a strong $196.1 million gross in 24 days. Pixar's latest will likely pass the $200 million mark next weekend, though it hasn't been holding like a crowd-pleaser.
Defying its' somewhat negative word-of-mouth, Savages dropped just 41% in its' second weekend to $9.2 million, slotting in fifth place and has earned $32.1 million in 10 days. Close behind it, Magic Mike surprisingly held itself together despite looking like it was going to be very front-loaded early on. Channing Tatum's stripper flick was down 41% to $9 million, for a $91.8 million gross in 17 days, and is now guaranteed to go past $100 million stateside. Tyler Perry also held surprisingly well, with Madea's Witness Protection dropping 45% in its' third weekend to $5.6 million, for a $55.6 million gross in 17 days and surpassing the final gross of Madea's Big Happy Family in the process.
Holding onto the eighth spot, Katy Perry - Part of Me 3D slipped 48% to $3.8 million, for an 11-day total of an acceptable $18.7 million. It will at least beat the Jonas Brothers concert, and probably finish with around $25 million stateside. Limited release Moonrise Kingdom saw the best hold of the entire Top 10, with just a 19% slip to $3.7 million, while holding onto the ninth spot. Wes Anderson's latest has collected a strong $32.5 million in eight weeks.
Just $30,000 behind the limited release was Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted, which dropped 51% to $3.7 million, for a strong $203.9 million gross in 37 days. The animated threequel became the second animated film of 2012 to pass the $200 million mark on Thursday.
Internationally, Ice Age: Continental Drift reclaimed the top spot with a huge $97.2 million, for an overseas total of near $340 million and a worldwide tally of $385 million. The Amazing Spider-Man found itself in second place again with another $66.6 million from 87 markets, bringing its' three-week international tally to a strong $320 million, along with over $500 million worldwide. Both movies are well positioned for around $800 million worldwide by the time they leave theaters. In a distant third once again, Ted added another $9.7 million from just four markets, and has earned $31 million since its' foreign debut two weeks ago, as it continues to slowly roll out. Snow White and the Huntsman repeated in fourth place with another $9.3 million, for a international tally of near $220 million, and appears well-positioned for a $400 million worldwide finish. Continuing to slowly roll out, Brave jumped back into the Top 5 with another $6.5 million, for an international tally so far of $47 million.
