Wiki News/‘Dragon’ Beats ‘Back-Up Plan’ at Box Office

“How to Train Your Dragon” took the top slot at the weekend box office, beating out the debut of the new Jennifer Lopez comedy “The Back-Up Plan,” according to early estimates from Hollywood.com.

The 3-D animated film “How to Train your Dragon” (Paramount/DreamWorks) took in $15 million to land atop all films in its fifth weekend in theaters. Some observers had criticized the movie for getting off to what they saw as a slow start at the box office, but it has certainly developed into a blockbuster, and has taken in $178 million domestically so far.

“The Back-Up Plan” (CBS Films) brought in $12.3 million for a disappointing second place finish. The film’s weak box office performance calls into question Lopez’s power as a draw to moviegoers.

“Date Night” (Fox), a comedy with Tina Fey and Steve Carell finished in third with $10.6 million.

“North Pole Elementary: The Movie” (Disney), a G-rated movie stand still to fourth place making in $8 million, and up to it's total of $68 million in three weeks.