Sony’s alien invasion action film dominated the charts in its first weekend out thanks to an estimated $36m launch.

Aaron Eckhart stars in the action release, which finished ahead of Rango by some $13m. Paramount’s animation ranked second on $23.1m to stand at $68.7m after two weekends.

New Line’s fantasy mystery Red Riding Hood starring Amanda Seyfried opened modestly in third place on $14.1m while Buena Vista’s animation Mars Needs Moms opened poorly in fifth on $6.8m.

Universal’s sci-fi thriller The Adjustment Bureau added $11.5m in the second weekend for $38.5m.

Focus Feature’s Jane Eyre starring Mia Wasikowska and Michael Fassbender opened on $182,000 from four theatres for an excellent $45,000 average. Anchor Bay’s crime drama Kill The Irishman starring Ray Stevenson debuted on $155,000 from five and a terrific $31,000 average.

Next weekend’s wide releases are: Universal/Working Title’s sci-fi comedy Paulstarring the UK team of Simon Pegg and Nick Frost; Lionsgate’s crime drama The Lincoln Lawyer with Matthew McConaughey; and Relativity’s thriller Limitless with Bradley Cooper.

Estimated Top 10 North America Mar 11-13, 2010
Film (Dist) / Est wkd gross / Est total to date

1 (-) Battle: Los Angeles (Sony) SPRI $36m –
2 (1) Rango (Paramount) PPI $23.1m $68.7m
3 (-) Red Riding Hood (Warner Bros) WBPI $14.1m –
4 (2) The Adjustment Bureau (Universal) UPI $11.5m $38.5m
5 (-) Mars Needs Moms (Buena Vista) WDSMPI $6.8m –
6 (4) Hall Pass (Warner Bros/New Line) WBPI $5.1m $34.9m
7 (3) Beastly (CBS Films) $5.1m $16.9m
8 (7) Just Go With It (Sony) SPRI $4m $93.9m
9 (8) The King’s Speech (TWC) FilmNation $3.6m $129.1m
10 (5) Gnomeo And Juliet(Buena Vista) Pathe/WDSMPI $3.5m $89m