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"The Avengers" sinks "Battleship" at the box office

Scarlett Johansson in "The Avengers." Disney

(CBS/AP) "The Avengers" continues to dominate the box office, 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 an additional $56 million.

Pictures: "The Avengers" premieres

The film is approaching the $1.2 billion mark worldwide, totaling $457.1 million domestically and $723.3 million internationally.

Universal's "Battleship" opened a distant No. 2 with $25.4 million domestically, well below industry expectations.

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

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 taken in $24.5 million.

"The Dictator" opened with $30.3 million in 29 overseas markets, giving it a worldwide haul of $54.8 million.

Johnny Depp and Tim Burton's vampire romp "Dark Shadows," which opened in second-place 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 in an ensemble cast, premiered at No. 5 with $10.5 million.

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