'Up,' surprise hit 'Hangover' rule at US box office

Animated family film "Up" kept soaring at the top of the North American box office, pulling in 44.2 million dollars in its second weekend, according to industry estimates released Sunday.

The Disney Pixar movie recounts the adventures of a balloon salesman who realizes a cherished dream to travel to South America -- accompanied by an eight-year-old stowaway.

It has raked in a total of 137.3 million since its debut last weekend, said box office tracker Exhibitor Relations.

Audiences cheered the critically acclaimed "The Hangover," landing the modestly budgeted comedy about a Las Vegas bachelor bash gone outrageously awry into second spot for its debut weekend with a surprise jackpot of 43.3 million dollars.

The film, critics say, is set to make a star of its unlikely protagonist played with aplomb by full-bearded US comic Zach Galifianakis, who steals practically every scene. The Warner Brothers studio have reportedly already greenlit a sequel.

By contrast the 100-million-dollar "Land of the Lost" failed to deliver on all fronts. Despite starring comedian bigshot Will Ferrell, negative reviews saw the big-priced burlesque fizzle into a flop, opening at a distant third with just 19.5 million dollars.

Comedy sequel "Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian" came in fourth, taking in 14.7 million dollars for a total of 127.3 million in its first three weeks.

The movie finds Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson and Ricky Gervais undertaking more night-time museum adventures, this time in the US capital Washington, rather than New York.

Keeping its number five spot was another franchise flick, the critically acclaimed blockbuster "Star Trek," earning 8.4 million dollars for a whopping 222.8 million dollars over five weeks in theaters.

"Terminator: Salvation," starring Welsh-born actor Christian Bale in the post-apocalyptic role of a resistance leader fighting power-hungry machines, took in 8.2 million dollars in box office receipts, falling to sixth place from third last week.

Gruesome horror flick "Drag Me To Hell" came in seventh with 7.3 million dollars.

"Angels and Demons" -- a sequel to the hit 2006 thriller "The Da Vinci Code" fell two spots to land in eighth. Directed by Ron Howard and with Tom Hanks reprising his starring turn, "Angels" took in 6.5 million dollars.

With a meager 3.2 million dollars in ninth place, Nia Vardalos vehicle "My Life in Ruins" seemed unlikely to reproduce the actress's 2002 surprise hit "My Big Fat Greek Wedding." Vardalos plays an American woman experiencing a midlife crisis in Athens until "Poupi" (Alexis Georgoulis) waltzes into her life.

Rounding out the top 10 was "Dance Flick," about a street dancer from the wrong side of the tracks bonding with a beautiful girl to battle it out at a dance competition. It drew 2 million dollars in ticket sales.