“The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian” dethroned “Iron Man” as ruler at the box office, pulling down $56.6 million, according to studio estimates Sunday.
Walt Disney‘s action sequel, starring Ben Barnes as Prince Caspian, took in less domestically in its opening weekend than “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe,” which sold $65.6 million in North America in its debut weekend in 2005. “Caspian” also raked in $20.7 million overseas.
But Disney expects the PG-rated movie, based on the C.S. Lewis fantasy series, to ride high through the coming Memorial Day weekend. The first “Narnia” tale grossed $745 million worldwide over its theatrical run.
“This is a film that we think is going to play all summer long and it's got nothing but school holidays in front of it,” said Mark Zoradi, president of the Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Group.
“Caspian” has a fight on its hand. The most anticipated movie of the summer, “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull,” opens Thursday. The fourth Indy installment, starring Harrison Ford and Shia LaBeouf, was screened twice Sunday at the Cannes Film Festival, with fans even cheering during the opening credits.
Rounding out the top five at the weekend box office was “Iron Man” at No. 2 with $31.2 million; “What Happens in Vegas” at No. 3 with $13.9 million; “Speed Racer” at No. 4 with $7.6 million; and “Baby Mama” with $4.6 million.
