Pixar’s sequel scores estimated $82m opening to dethrone Man of Steel; World War Z impresses with $66m.

Monsters University has recorded Pixar’s second-best US opening to debut top of the US box office.

Disney’s sequel scored an estimated $82m from its 4,004 sites, almost $20m ahead of its predecessor Monsters Inc.’s $62.6m debut. Based on Pixar outings, only Toy Story 3 has grossed more on debut at a mammoth $110.3m from 4,028 sites.

Despite not landing top spot, Paramount’s World War Z managed to record Brad Pitt’s highest ever US opening.

Marc Forster’s adaptation of Max Brooks’ novel scared up an estimated $66m from 3,607 sites, narrowly behind Forster’s highest-ever US debut, Quantum of Solace’s $67.5m opening. That’s ahead of Pitt’s previous best, Mr. & Mrs. Smith’s $50.3m US bow from 3,424 sites.

Last week’s champion, Warner Bros’ Man of Steel dropped around 65% to record a $41.2m second weekend to smash through the $200m barrier and climb to $210m. Based on unadjusted grosses, that makes it the best Superman performer in the US ahead of Superman Returns’ $200.1m.

After expanding to 650 sites, A24’s The Bling Ring grossed an estimated $2m at an average of $3,077, missing out on the top ten in 11th.

TWC’s Unfinished Song (AKA Song for Marion) opened in two sites for a $27,700 opening weekend, while Cohen Media Group’s The Attack grossed $26,400 from three sites on debut.

Next week’s wide releases are Fox’s comedy The Heat and Sony’s action-thriller White House Down. IFC’s Byzantium and Sony Classics’ I’m So Excited are among the films receiving a limited release.

Estimated Top 10 North America Jun 21-23 2013
Film (Dist) / Est wkd gross / Est total to date
1 (-) Monsters University (Buena Vista/Pixar) WDSMPI $82m
2 (-) World War Z (Paramount) PPI $66m
3 (1) Man of Steel (Warner Bros) WBPI $41.2m $210m
4 (2) This is the End (Sony) SPRI $13m $57.8m
5 (3) Now You See Me (Lionsgate-Summit) Lionsgate Int’l $7.9m $94.5m
6 (4) Fast & Furious 6 (Universal) UPI $4.7m $228.4m
7 (6) The Internship (Fox) Fox Int’l $3.4m $38.4m
8 (5) The Purge (Universal) UPI $3.4m $59.4m
9 (8) Star Trek Into Darkness (Paramount) PPI $3m $216.6m
10 (10) Iron Man 3 (Buena Vista/Marvel) WDSMPI $2.2m $403.1m

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