A smart sci-fi thriller gives way to a dumb action comedy as The Other Guys [OTHRG] topples Inception [INCPT] at the weekend box office. The buddy cop movie bagged an estimated $35.6 million in a return to comedic form for Will Ferrell [WFERR]. Mark Wahlberg [MWAHL] co-starred as his mismatched partner in crime-fighting.
Inception woke up with another $18.6 million in second place. The Christopher Nolan-directed film has banked $227.7 million after its fourth weekend.
Step Up 3D [STUP3] bowed in third place at $15.5 million, continuing a downward trend for the streetdancing franchise. 3D was the main draw as 84% of the audience opted for the higher priced version.
Salt [ESALT] finished in fourth place with $11.1 million. The Angelina Jolie spy thriller has grossed $92.0 milion thus far.
Rounding out the top five, Dinner with Schmucks [SHMUC] tumbled 55% to $10.5 million in its second weekend.
| Rank | TITLE | F-S-S | TOTAL |
| 1 | THE OTHER GUYS | $35,600,000 | $35,600,000 |
| 2 | INCEPTION | $18,600,000 | $227,732,000 |
| 3 | STEP UP 3D | $15,532,000 | $15,532,000 |
| 4 | SALT | $11,100,000 | $91,980,000 |
| 5 | DINNER FOR SCHMUCKS | $10,500,000 | $46,746,000 |
| 6 | DESPICABLE ME | $9,436,945 | $209,440,930 |
| 7 | CATS & DOGS: THE REVENGE OF KITTY GALORE | $6,910,000 | $26,436,000 |
| 8 | CHARLIE ST. CLOUD | $4,700,625 | $23,496,755 |
| 9 | TOY STORY 3 | $3,048,000 | $396,317,000 |
| 10 | THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT | $2,606,238 | $14,011,032 |
| 11 | GROWN UPS | $2,450,000 | $155,713,000 |
| 12 | THE SORCERER'S APPRENTICE | $2,352,000 | $57,053,000 |
Source: Exhibitor Relations Co.
Tag(s): OTHRG, INCPT, WFERR, MWAHL, STUP3, ESALT, SHMUC