The Dark Knight Rises had enough in the tank to retain top spot in its third weekend in North America as an estimated $36.4m session through Warner Bros propelled the running total to $354.6m.

Sony’s Total Recall reboot (pictured) from director Len Wiseman arrived in second place on $26m, a fairly weak launch given that the original film starring Arnold Schwarzenegger opened in June 1990 on $25.5m, which translates to $44.8m when adjusted for inflation. Total Recall stars Colin Farrell, Kate Beckinsale and Jessica Biel.

Diary Of A Wimpy Kid: Dog Days, the third entry in Fox’s family franchise, earned a lacklustre $14.7m in third place. This was easily the weakest debut in the series compared to $22.1m for Diary Of A Wimpy Kid in March 2010 and $23.8m for Diary Of A Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules in March 2011.

Universal’s Ted in sixth place has crossed $200m after six weekends in release, while Sony’s The Amazing Spider-Man in eighth place stands at $250.6m after five.

Focus Features’ Moonrise Kingdom has crossed $40m after 11 and the limited release of Beasts Of The Southern Wild has generated $5.9m through Fox Searchlight after six.

SPC opened Sundance acquisition Celeste And Jesse Forever on $112,000 from four theatres, while Magnolia launched Fernando Meirelles’ ensemble drama 360, a Toronto 2011 world premiere, on $12,600 from two sites.

Next weekend’s wide releases include Universal’s thriller The Bourne Legacy starring Jeremy Renner and Rachel Weisz; Warner Bros political satire The Campaign directed by Jay Roach and starring Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis; Sony’s drama Hope Springs with Meryl Streep and Tommy Lee Jones; and Arc Entertainment’s sports comedy Nitro Circus The Movie 3D.

Estimated Top 10 North America Aug 3-5 2012
Film (Dist) / Est wkd gross / Est total to date

1 (1) The Dark Knight Rises (Warner Bros) WBPI $36.4m $354.6m

2 (-) Total Recall (Sony) SPRI $26m –

3 (-) Diary Of A Wimpy Kid: Dogs Days (Fox) Fox Int’l $14.7m –

4 (2) Ice Age: Continental Drift (Fox) Fox Int’l $8.4m $131.9m

5 (3) The Watch (Fox) Fox Int’l $6.4m $25.4m

6 (5) Ted (Universal) UPI $5.5m $203.4m

7 (4) Step Up Revolution (Summit) Summit Int’l $5.3m $23.1m

8 (6) The Amazing Spider-Man (Sony) SPRI $4.3m $250.6m

9 (7) Brave (Buena Vista-Pixar) WDSMPI $2.9m $223.3m

10 (8) Magic Mike (Warner Bros) FilmNation $1.4m $110.9m