LIMITLESS STRETCHES ITS LIMITS

Relativity Media’s Limitless far exceeded the limits that box-office analysts had prophesied for it. While most had predicted that it would earn under $15 million, the film wound up with an estimated $19 million and topped all other films over the weekend. Two other films also debuted at the high end of expectations: Lionsgate’s The Lincoln Lawyer scored about $13.4 million to place fourth, while R-rated alien comedy Paul from Universal came in just below that figure at around $13.2 million to place fifth. The two estimates were so close that their order could very well be reversed when final figures are released on Monday. Holding over exceptionally well in its third week, Paramount’s Rango remained in second place with $15.3 million, dropping just 32 percent. But Sony’s Battle: Los Angeles fell 60 percent in its second week to $14.6 million, which was nevertheless good enough for third place. Overseas, the top performer at the box office was Battle: Los Angeles with $29 million. (The film has been retitled in numerous countries.)

The top ten films for the weekend, according to studio estimates compiled by Box Office Mojo:
1. Limitless, $19 million; 2. Rango, $15.3 million; 3. Battle: Los Angeles, $14.6 million; 4. The Lincoln Lawyer, $13.4 million; 5. Paul, $13.2 million; 6. Red Riding Hood, $7.3 million; 7. The Adjustment Bureau, $5.9 million; 8. Mars Needs Moms, $5.3 million; 9. Beastly, $3.3 million; 10. Hall Pass, $2.6 million.

UPDATE:
Final Figures for the Top Five Films

1. Limitless, $18,907,302
2. Rango, $15,076,575
3. Battle: Los Angeles, $14,538,429
4. The Lincoln Lawyer, $13,206,453
5. Paul, $13,043,310