'Ice Age 3' and 'Transformers 2' in Tie for 1st Place at Box Office

A tight race for the #1 spot at the North American box office between "Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs" and "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" has been one hazy battle, according to studio estimates issued on Sunday, July 5. Collecting approximately $42.5 million each in ticket sales over the U.S. Independence Day holiday weekend, the two different genre movies left a rare tie at the chart. The final figures to be announced Monday, July 6, will settle a winner.

Since being opened in theaters Wednesday, July 1, the third "Ice Age" movie met most analysts' expectations and has earned in total about $67.5 million. Despite the tie condition, Bert Livingston of 20th Century Fox, the studio which released the "Ice Age" franchise, was happy with the result. "Given the great weather, and what a movie event Transformers is, we couldn't be happier with a tie for first," he said.

Through the competitive holiday frame, "Dawn of the Dinosaurs" strongest competition, "Revenge of the Fallen", has fallen 61% from its debut. Still, it has so far raked in around $293.5 million in two weeks. Saturday, June 4, marked the day it became the second highest 10-day debut on record, trailing behind "The Dark Knight". Up to date, the sequel to blockbuster "Transformers" is approaching $600 million for its worldwide sales.

Debuting third on the chart was newcomer "Public Enemies". The crime drama starring Johnny Depp and Christian Bale hauled an estimated $26.2 million more to the five days total of around $41 million. "A lot's been made of adult-skewing films not doing well," said Adam Fogelson, Universal's president of marketing and distribution. "But you take one of the best actors of our time, playing one of the most interesting gangsters ever, and you're not going to get lost. Adults are just looking for quality movies in all this popcorn fare."

Rounding up the top five were two former champs, "The Proposal" and "The Hangover". Sandra Bullock-starring "Proposal" reeled in about $12.8 million, while bachelor-party comedy "Hangover" brought in another $12.4 million to the $204.2 million cume, making it the year's fourth movie to cross the $200 million milestone.

Top Ten Movies at Weekend Box Office for July 3 - 5:

1. "Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs" - $42.5 million
2. "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" - $42.5 million
3. "Public Enemies" - $26.2 million
4. "The Proposal" - $12.8 million
5. "The Hangover" - $12.4 million
6. "Up" - $6 million
7. "My Sister's Keeper" - $5.3 million
8. "The Taking of Pelham 123" - $2.5 million
9. "Night at the Museum 2: Battle of the Smithsonian" - $ 2.1 million
10. "Year One" - $2.1 million