By Franck Tabouring

Weekend of August 1 – August 3, 2008

“The Dark Knight” managed to fend off “The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor” at the North American box office with a weekend gross of $43.8 million, according to studio estimates Sunday.

“Tomb of the Dragon Emperor” debuted in second place with $42.4 million, which is a little less than the $43.3 million opening weekend gross of “The Mummy” in 1999. Directed by Rob Cohen, the third installment in the franchise follows Brendan Fraser on his quest to take down China’s ruthless Han Emperor (played by Jet Li).

Meanwhile, Christopher Nolan’s “The Dark Knight” continued its reign over the box office, lifting its domestic total to an impressive $394.8 million after only three weeks in release. Starring Christian Bale, the film follows Batman’s struggled to protect Gotham City from the madness of the Joker (Heath Ledger).  

Sony’s “Step Brothers” slipped to No. 3 this weekend, collecting $16.3 million and brining its total haul to $62.9 million after a two-week run. Directed by Adam McKay and produced by Judd Apatow, the film stars Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly as two spoiled men who become competitive stepbrothers after their single parents decide to get married.

At No. 4, Universal’s musical “Mamma Mia!” took home $13.1 million. The Phyllida Lloyd-directed big-screen version of the famous Broadway musical reached a cumulative gross of $87.9 million.

Staying put in fifth place was Eric Brevig’s family adventure “Journey to the Center of the Earth,” which pulled in $6.8 million and brought its domestic total to $73.1 million after four weeks in release.     

Following closely at No. 6 was new entry “Swing Vote” with only $6.3 million. Distributed by Walt Disney and directed by Joshua Michael Stern, the comedy stars Kevin Costner as an apathetic New Mexico resident whose vote will determine the outcome of the U.S. presidential election.

Dropping to No. 7, Peter Berg’s action adventure “Hancock” earned $5.2 million, reaching a cumulative gross of $215.9 million after a five-week run. Starring Will Smith, the movie follows a drunken superhero who agrees to revamp his damaged image within the community.

Pixar’s “WALL-E” followed closely in eighth place with $4.7 million, brining its domestic total to $204.2 million. At No. 9, Chris Carter’s “The X-Files: I Want to Believe” picked up $3.4 million, reaching a disappointing total of $17 million after two weeks in release.

Rounding out the top 10 was 20th Century Fox’s “Space Chimps,” which after this weekend’s earnings of $2.8 million lifted its cumulative to $22 million. 

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