‘Avengers’ sinks ‘Battleship’ to stay on top

LOS ANGELES — “The Avengers” continues to muscle out everything else Hollywood throws at it, easily sinking naval rival “Battleship” and other new releases.

With $55.1 million domestically, Disney’s superhero sensation remained No. 1 for a third straight weekend and took in more than the three big newcomers combined. Overseas, “The Avengers” added $56 million.The film is approaching the $1.2 billion mark worldwide, totaling $457.1 million domestically and $723.3 million internationally.

“The Avengers” is dominating the marketplace so profoundly that the newcomers are having a tough time breaking in now,” said Paul Dergarabedian, analyst for box-office tracker Hollywood.com.

Universal’s “Battleship” opened a distant No. 2 with $25.4 million domestically, below industry expectations.

But the board-game adaptation starring Liam Neeson, Taylor Kitsch and Rihanna grossed $226.8 million overseas since launching in April, giving it a worldwide total of $252.1 million.

“I would be glad to be No. 2 if we opened to a better number. But given the presence of an absolute juggernaut in the marketplace, there’s nothing you can do,” said Nikki Rocco, head of distribution for Universal. “Not to have a shot at being No. 1 this weekend is disappointing. But it’s a challenge with ‘Avengers’ out there.”

Sacha Baron Cohen’s comedy “The Dictator,” in which he plays a tyrannical third-world leader, debuted in third place with $17.4 million for the weekend. Since opening Wednesday, the Paramount release has made $24.5 million.

Johnny Depp and Tim Burton’s vampire romp “Dark Shadows,” which opened in second a week earlier, slipped to No. 4 with $12.8 million.

The Warner Bros. release lifted its domestic total to $50.9 million, a weak result compared to the previous Depp-Burton blockbusters “Alice in Wonderland” and “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.” ---- Lionsgate’s pregnancy comedy “What to Expect When You’re Expecting,” featuring Cameron Diaz and Jennifer Lopez, premiered at No. 5 with $10.5 million.