‘Twilight’ sequel eclipses penguins at box office

LOS ANGELES—”The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, Part 1,” the latest in the teen vampire series, pulverized the North American box office with an estimated $139.5 million in its weekend debut, industry figures showed Sunday.

The tale of a wolf pack and vampire coven eclipsed “Happy Feet Two,” a sequel to the popular computer-animated film on penguins, which drew $22 million, according to monitor Exhibitor Relations.

Last week’s box office winner, big-budget 3-D epic “Immortals,” slipped to third place with $12.2 million, just ahead of the Adam Sandler comedy “Jack and Jill,” with $12 million.’

“Puss in Boots,” the animated children’s film, dropped to fifth place with $10.7 million, followed by the action comedy Tower Heist,” starring Eddie Murphy and Ben Stiller, with $6.9 million.

Biopic “J. Edgar” with Leonardo DiCaprio on the life of longtime FBI chief J. Edgar Hoover ($5.9 million) was at seventh ahead of the stoner comedy “A Very Harold and Kumar 3D Christmas” ($2.9 million), and “In Time” ($1.6 million).

Debuting in 10th place was the new George Clooney comedy-drama “The Descendants” at $1.2 million.