Transformers rules at box office

11 July 2011

Transformers: Dark Of The Moon now rules this year's US box office as the blockbuster sequel became 2011's top hit taking 261 million dollars, according to studio estimates.

Paramount Pictures' sci-fi smash starring Shia LaBeouf remained number one in its second weekend with 47 million dollars and shot past The Hangover Part II to first-place on the US chart.

Debuting in second place with 28.1 million dollars was the Warner Bros comedy Horrible Bosses, featuring Jason Bateman, Charlie Day and Jason Sudeikis as bumblers plotting against their nasty supervisors.

Opening at number three with 21 million dollars was Sony Pictures' family tale Zookeeper, with Kevin James as an animal tender who gets romantic advice from the talking critters in his care.

Disney's latest Pirates of the Caribbean adventure remains the year's top-grossing hit worldwide at 1.02 billion dollars. Overseas markets accounted for 785 million, just over three-fourths of that total, highlighting how critical international business has become for Hollywood.

The new Transformers sequel added 93 million dollars this weekend overseas, bringing its international total to 384 million and global haul to 645 million, number two for the year behind Pirates.