Box Office, Weekend Box Office | featured news

So much for the public's hunger for anything in 3D. DreamWorks Animation's "Shrek Forever After" bowed even more lightly than some had feared, with the family comedy topping domestic rankings with just $71.3 million in estimated weekend boxoffice. The latest Paramount-distributed pic about a lovable ogre and his family debuted with significantly less green stuff than the two previous "Shrek" sequels, which each fetched $100 million-plus in their first three days.

Steel bested bows and arrows at the movies this weekend, with "Iron Man 2" fighting off the new release "Robin Hood" to stay at the top of the box office. The superhero sequel starring Robert Downey Jr. took in $53 million domestically to remain at No. 1, according to studio estimates Sunday.

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.

"How to Train Your Dragon" continues to breathe fire at the box office, while newer releases are mostly blowing smoke....

Paramount and DreamWorks Animation had a kick-ass weekend of their own at the domestic B.O., with 3D toon "How to Train Your Dragon" posting an estimated $20 million at 3,825 locations, enough to claim the top spot in its fourth frame. With help from higher 3D ticket prices, the toon holdover edged out Lionsgate's superhero actioner "Kick-Ass," which debuted with $19.8 million at 3,065 engagements.

The race for the No. 1 slot this weekend was a close one, but "Date Night" is claiming victory with an estimated $27.1 million gross over "Clash of the Titans'" $26.8 million take (although that could all change by Monday morning when the true numbers are reported).

Film News: Warner 3D film earns an estimated $61.4 million -- Warner Bros.' 3D epic "Clash of the Titans" muscled its way to the top of the domestic B.O. this Easter weekend, with an estimated $61.4 million at 3,777 locations to become the highest-grossing film during the holiday frame.

"How to Train Your Dragon" breathed a bit of box-office fire with a $43.3 million opening weekend and a No. 1 debut, according to studio estimates Sunday....

The star-studded romance "Valentine's Day" wooed audiences with a $52.4 million opening weekend, easily grabbing the No. 1 spot over the holiday that shares its name, according to studio estimates Sunday....

Romantic drama "Dear John" unexpectedly ended the seven-week reign of "Avatar" at the weekend box office in North America on Sunday, grossing an estimated $32.4 million.