Movie theaters across North America saw a lot of green inside and out over the weekend as The Incredible Hulk debuted with an estimated $54.5 million. It marked the second superhero movie from Marvel Entertainment to open at No. 1 at the box office in just over a month. Iron Man hauled in over $100 million in its debut on May 2. Although most critics agreed that the latest film version of the Marvel classic was an improvement over Ang Lee's Hulk three years ago, the new film actually earned less than its predecessor, which took in $62.1 million. Meanwhile, M. Night Shyamalan's The Happening, starring Mark Wahlberg, opened with a better-than-expected $30.5 million, according to Media by Numbers. Most box-office forecasters had predicted an $18-22-million opening for the thriller. Last week's top film, Kung Fu Panda, fell to second place with $34.3 million, while You Don't Mess With the Zohan, the latest Adam Sandler comedy plunged to $16.4 million. The top ten films for the weekend, according to studio estimates compiled by Media by Numbers: 1. The Incredible Hulk, $54.5 million; 2. Kung Fu Panda, $34.3 million; 3. The Happening, $30.5 million; 4. You Don't Mess With the Zohan, $16.4 million; 5. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, $13.5 million; 6. Sex and the City, $10.2 million; 7. Iron Man, $5.1 million; 8. The Strangers, $4.1 million; 9. The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, $3 million; 10. What Happens in Vegas, $1.7 million.
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