Box office estimates for the weekend of July 16-18. Rank. Movie Title – Weekend Gross | Theaters | Total Gross | Week #

1. Inception - $60,400,000 I 3,792 I $60,400,000 I 1 complete Inception coverage

2. Despicable Me - $32,734,000 I 3,501 I $118,365,000 I 2 complete Despicable coverage

3. The Sorcerer’s Apprentice - $17,373,000 I 3,504 I $24,461,000 I 1 Allen's TSR - 6/10

4. The Twilight Saga: Eclipse - $13,500,000 I 4,001 I $264,900,000 I 3 complete Twilight coverage

5. Toy Story 3 - $11,742,000 I 3,177 I $362,709,000 I 5 complete Toy Story coverage

source: www.boxofficemojo.com

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This weekend was a runaway success for Christopher Nolan’s Inception, which has been receiving rave reviews from critics and audiences alike. The sci-fi mindbender took a clear lead after its midnight opening.

Despicable Me still won the family over this weekend. The animated Steve Carell flick did alright for itself in its second weekend of release, earning it the number two spot for this July weekend.

It seemed I underestimated the magic of The Sorcerer’s Apprentice which failed to wow audiences. It’s a shame because the flick actually wasn’t half bad, but it seems like half bad just doesn’t draw in an audience like it used to.

Eclipse landed right where I predicted in its third weekend. The vampires and werewolves of Twilight are going to have to try a whole hell of a lot harder next weekend to stay in this top five.

Finally, Toy Story 3 is almost out with the old to make room for the new. In its fifth weekend, it’s struggling with a whole lot of competition for the family vote. Still, it had a nice run, but I’d be surprised to see it make the list next weekend with the release of Salt.