Warner Bros’ The Dark Knight Rises stayed top with ease thanks to an estimated $64.1m weekend haul that boosted the running total to $289.1m.

The film fell 60% from last weekend and despite the shocking events in Aurora, Colorado, appears to be steadying its course and should cross $300m by Monday.

Fox’s comedy The Watch starring Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughn, Jonah Hill and the UK’s Richard Ayoade opened poorly in third place on $13m while Summit’s Step Up Revolution also underperformed as it arrived at number four on $11.8m.

Universal’s summer breakout smash Ted remains on track to cross $200m and ranks fifth on $193.6m after five weekends.  Moonrise Kingdom in tenth place has grossed $38.4m for Focus Features after 10 weekends in release.

In limited release, Fox Searchlight opened Ruby Sparks on $152,000 from 13 theatres, Mickey Liddell’s LD Entertainment opened Toronto 2011 premiere Killer Joe starring Matthew McConaughey on $37,000 in three theatres, while IFC’s Sundance documentary pick-up Al Weiwei: Never Sorry opened in five theatres on $45,000.

SPC’s Searching For Sugerman opened in three on $28,500 while Drafthouse Films opened Klown on $17,900 from three.

Next weekend’s wide releases are Sony’s Total Recall reboot starring Colin Farrell, Kate Beckinsale, Jessica Biel and Bryan Cranston; and Diary Of A Wimpy Kid: Dog Days from Fox.

Estimated Top 10 North America Jul 27-29 2012
Film (Dist) / Est wkd gross / Est total to date

1 (1) The Dark Knight Rises (Warner Bros) WBPI $64.1m $289.1m
2 (2) Ice Age: Continental Drift (Fox) Fox Int’l $13.3m $114.8m
3 (-) The Watch (Fox) Fox Int’l $13m
4 (-) Step Up Revolution (Summit) Summit Int’l $11.8m –
5 (4) Ted (Universal) UPI $7.4m $193.6m
6 (3) The Amazing Spider-Man (Sony) SPRI $6.8m $242.1m
7 (5) Brave (Buena Vista-Pixar) WDSMPI $4.2m $217.3m
8 (6) Magic Mike (Warner Bros) FilmNation $2.6m $107.6m
9 (7) Savages (Universal) UPI $1.8m $43.9m
10 (9) Moonrise Kingdom (Focus Features) FFI $1.4m $38.4m

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