By Franck Tabouring

Weekend of August 15 – 17, 2008

Ben Stiller’s action comedy “Tropic Thunder” kicked “The Dark Knight" off its throne at the North American box office this weekend with $26 million, according to studio estimates Sunday.

Since its release Wednesday, “Thunder” has lifted its domestic total to $37 million. Starring Stiller, Jack Black and Robert Downey Jr., the movie follows a group of actors who are pursued by ruthless criminals after their director drops them off in the middle of the jungle.

Slipping to No. 2, Christopher Nolan’s “The Dark Knight” took home $16,7 million this weekend, bringing its total gross to $471.4 million after five impressive weeks in release.

Debuting in third place with $15.5 million was Warner’s computer-animated action adventure “Star Wars: The Clone Wars,” which serves as an introduction to the upcoming television series of the same title.

Directed by Dave Filoni, the film follows Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi as they try to close a crucial deal with Jabba the Hutt. The voice cast includes Samuel L. Jackson, Christopher Lee and Ian Abercrombie.

Meanwhile, 20th Century Fox’s horror remake “Mirrors” opened in fourth place with $11.1 million. The Alexandra Aja-directed flick stars Kiefer Sutherland as a security guard who becomes obsessed with evil mirrors.

At No. 5, David Gordon Green’s “Pineapple Express” earned $10 million in ticket sales, reaching a cumulative gross of $62.9 million. Sony’s action stoner comedy stars Seth Rogen and James Franco as two potheads on the run from a gang of ruthless killers.

“The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor” tumbled to No. 6 with $8.6 million. Directed by Ron Cohen and starring Brendan Fraser, Universal’s third installment in the popular “The Mummy” series lifted its domestic total to $86.6 million after a three-week run.

Universal also took over the seventh spot with “Mamma Mia!,” which pulled $6.4 million and reached a total haul of $116.4 million. Following closely at No. 8 was “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2,” which collected $5.9 million and brought its cumulative to $32.1 million.

Two films rounded out the top 10 this weekend: Adam McKay’s comedy “Step Brothers,” which reached a total of $90.8 million thanks to this weekends’ earnings of $5 million, and Woody Allen’s “Vicky Cristina Barcelona,” which debuted with $3.7 million.

And just in case you were wondering, this week’s other wide release (452 theaters), “Fly Me to the Moon 3-D,” only made it to No. 12 with $2 million. 

Source: Box Office Mojo (www.boxofficemojo.com)