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Dolphin Tale Swims to Top of U.S. Box Office

The new releases couldn't contend with the returning films at the U.S. box office for the weekend of Sept. 30 - Oct. 2, 2011.

The new releases couldn't contend with the returning films at the U.S. box office for the weekend of Sept. 30 - Oct. 2, 2011. The family film DOLPHIN TALE swam from third place last week to claim the box office top spot. The inspirational true-life story added $14.2 million to its $37.5 million cume.

Sony's MONEYBALL held strong in second, winning $12.5 million. With vfx from Rhythm and Hues, the baseball biz flick has brought in $38.5 million to date.

THE LION KING relinquished its two-week box office crown to settle in at third with $11.1 million. The re-released film has made $79.6 million in its 3-D release and when that is added to its original total the film has moved into the top ten highest grossing films of all time with $408.2 million.

Summit's 50/50 was the top new film for the week, earning $8.86 million in fourth. Wildfire Visual Effects provided the vfx for the cancer dramedy.

TriStar's faith-based drama COURAGEOUS gunned into fifth with $8.8 million in its premiere weekend.

Universal's DREAM HOUSE only scared up $8.2 million in its debut at #6. Gradient Effects created the vfx for the psychological thriller.

Lionsgate's ABDUCTION sunk from fourth to seventh, bringing in another $5.65 million. With vfx from Asylum VFX, Kerner Optical, Method Studios and The Third Floor, the Taylor Lautner thriller has a cume of $19.1 million.

Fox's WHAT'S YOUR NUMBER? had a weak opening weekend, placing eighth with $5.6 million. Wildfire Visual Effects provided vfx for the Anna Faris-led romcom.

Warner Bros.' CONTAGION coughed up an additional $5.04 million in ninth place. With vfx from Method Studios, the disease thriller has earned $64.7 million thus far.

Open Road Films' KILLER ELITE rounded out the top ten with $4.86 million. With vfx from Comen VFX, Dragon Digital Intermediate, Iloura and The Senate Visual Effects, the assassin flick has a cume of $17.4 million.

Box office numbers were obtained on boxofficemojo.com.

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Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
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