Avengers sinks Battleship

Los Angeles - The Avengers continues to muscle out everything else Hollywood throws at it, easily sinking naval rival Battleship and other new releases.

With $55.1m domestically, Disney's superhero sensation remained No 1 for a third-straight weekend and took in more than the three big newcomers combined. The Avengers is approaching the $1.2bn mark worldwide.

Universal's Battleship opened at No 2 with $25.4m domestically, adding to the $226.8m the board-game adaptation has earned overseas since launching in April.

Sacha Baron Cohen's comedy The Dictator debuted in third-place with $17.4m for the weekend. Since opening Wednesday, the Paramount release has taken in $24.5m.

Lionsgate's pregnancy comedy What to Expect When You're Expecting, featuring Cameron Diaz and Jennifer Lopez, premiered at No 5 with $10.5m.