'Dark Knight' knocked out from top spot

Los Angeles -- "Tropic Thunder," Ben Stiller's comedy about making a movie about the Vietnam War, debuted at No. 1 in U.S. theaters, Box Office Mojo said Sunday.

"Tropic Thunder" grossed an estimated $26 million, knocking "The Dark Knight" from the top spot it had held the previous four weeks. Movie-goers bought an estimated $16.79 million in tickets this weekend for the Batman movie, which has grossed about $471.5 million in its five weeks in U.S. theaters.

Two more new movies, "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" and "Mirrors," started out No. 3 and No. 4, respectively. The Star Wars film, starring Matt Lanter, Ian Abercrombie and Catherine Taber, raked in $15.51 million and the horror show "Mirrors," starring Kiefer Sutherland and Paula Patton, pulled in $11.13 million.

Last week's No. 2 film, "Pineapple Express," fell all the way to No. 5 at $10 million, followed by "The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor" at $8.61 million, "Mamma Mia!" at $6.5 million, "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2" at $5.93 million and "Step Brothers" at $5 million.

Breaking in at No. 10 was Woody Allen's romantic comedy "Vicky Cristina Barcelona," which recorded about $3.71 million in ticket sales in its first weekend.

Gone from the top tier this week were "Journey to the Center of the Earth, "Wall-E," "Hancock" and "Swing Vote."

Copyright 2008 by United Press International.