Mark Wahlberg knows how to land a blockbuster number one.
The Mark Wahlberg vehicle 2 Guns - co-starring Denzel Washington - topped the US box office over the weekend with estimated takings of $24.4 million. Based on the graphic novel of the same name, the movie sees both actors teaming up as cops battling drug traffickers.
It toppled the strong performing The Wolverine, Marvel's latest blockbuster starring Hugh Jackman which was knocked back to second with $21.7 million. The Smurfs 2 appeared to suffer from a plethora of awful reviews and took just $18.2 million, according to the reliable guys over at Hollywood.com.
The animated sequel failed to meet expectations in the US, though earned $52.5 million from 43 markets.
Jackman's The Wolverine has now earned $95 million in the US and added another $38.5 million to its international haul.
Last week's surprise number one, The Conjuring, slipped to fourth place but has now crossed the $100 million since opening three weeks ago.
It was a triumphant weekend for the limited indie openings, with Sundance Film Festival buzz movie The Spectacular Now, starring Shailene Woodley, earning $190,000 from just four theatres. Woody Allen's Blue Jasmine - an Oscar tipped movie - earned $2 million from 50 locations, while the Weinstein's Fruitvale Station made $2.7 million.
Lindsay Lohan's The Canyons made $16,000 from two screens.
"Summer is not just about blockbusters," said Paul Dergarabedian of box-office website, Hollywood.com, "It's about specialized films that challenge the audience or are just different from the traditional, cookie-cutter, summer-style movie."
Mark Wahlberg [L] and Rhea Durham [R] At The '2 Guns' Premiere
Hugh Jackman's The Wolverine Has Continued Its Solid Run At The Box Office
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