Divergent has emerged as the weekend's top movie at the box office after sweeping in $56 million, according to estimates from Box Office Mojo. Adapted from Veronica Roth's best-selling YA fiction series, the dystopian sci-fi film follows life through the eyes of a rather special teenager, Tris (played by Shailene Woodley), and has struck a chord with a huge movie audience.

Divergent Movie
'Divergent' Has Attracted A Monster Audience In Its First Weekend.

There wasn't even a close contender to the Neil Burger-directed blockbuster, which also stars Kate Winslet, Theo James and Maggie Q. The Muppets Most Wanted debuted in a far second with $16.5 million, knocking the shine from the eagerly-anticipated new Kermit and Miss Piggy instalment. Last week's number one, the tremendously successful Mr. Peabody & Sherman cartoon, was handed a nonetheless respectable third place, having earned $11.7 million.

Divergent Shailene Woodley Maggie Q
The Sci-Fi Movie Stomped On The Hopes Of Contenders, Including 'The Muppets Most Wanted.'

Last week's Divergent news focussed on the less-than enthusiastic reviews from early critics. As with many teen-driven action franchises, the reviewers haven't been enamoured with a drawn-out script, sketchy plotline and unbelievable characters highlighted as major flaws in the Divergent universe.

Watch The 'Divergent' Trailer:

Though Roth's books may have not translated to screen as well as they could have, fans of the franchise have flocked to the cinemas, bolstering the movie's prospects for the coveted sequel. The movie was always set to be the first of three films - with Insurgent and Allegiant to follow - but the sequels' destiny always rode on the success of the crucial first film. Had Divergent flopped badly, we would probably have never heard of the series again.

Shailene Woodley Theo James Divergent
The Movie's Success Has Secured Sequels, 'Insurgent' & 'Allegiant.'

Shailene Woodley stars as Tris, a teenager who finds out she is "divergent," meaning she doesn't fit neatly into any of the society's pre-ordained factions. This news could have been a death sentence in a community eager to eradicate any anomalies but instead Tris joins a host of other divergents and trains to fight to be ready for a hostile world.

More: Author Veronica Roth talks about her smash-hit franchise in out featurette - click to watch.

More: Shailene Woodley said at Comic-Con 2013 that her character Tris is no superhero - find out why.