Abrams and Spielberg Reach Number One with Super 8

What could possibly top the combined power of a controversial director, much-buzzed-about actors and an action sequence involving the Cuban Missile Crisis, all as part of a highly-anticipated prequel of a popular comic book franchise that was in serious need of a reboot? Two words: Abrams. Spielberg. Though X-Men: First Class (weekend gross $25 million, total gross $98.8 million) was on top last weekend, it was pushed to the number two spot by Super 8, directed by J.J. Abrams and co-produced by Steven Spielberg. The sci-fi drama made more than most people expected, with an opening weekend gross of $38 million. Third place went to The Hangover Part II (weekend gross $18.5 million, total gross $216.5 million), making it the only R-rated movie in last weekend’s top five. Kung Fu Panda 2 (weekend gross $16.6 million, total gross $126.9 million) and Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (weekend gross $10.8 million, total gross $208.7 million) took spots four and five, respectively.

Also out in wide release was Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer, which took $6.2 million in its first weekend. New limited releases were The Trip ($83,000), Bride Flight ($60,000), Viva Riva! ($10,600), Trollhunter ($5,900) and Road to Nowhere ($2,250).

Though last weekend marked a respite from new comic book movies, next weekend we’re back to the land of the superheroes with Green Lantern. Also out in wide release will be Mr. Popper’s Penguins, which stars Jim Carrey as a man named Mr. Popper who inherits some penguins. Out in limited release will be The Art of Getting By, R, Kidnapped and My Afternoons with Margueritte, as well as the documentaries Battle For Brooklyn, Buck, Jig and Page One: Inside the New York Times.