The "Apes" prequel was just ahead of the civil rights drama "The Help," which debuted at $25.5 million.
In the third spot was "Final Destination 5," the latest in the franchise where death stalks victims who had been fated to die earlier, with more than $18 million.
The top 10 films of the weekend were:
1. "Rise of the Planet of the Apes," $27.5 million ($40.5
million international).
2. "The Help," $25.5 million.
3. "Final Destination 5," $18.4 million.
4. "The Smurfs," $13.5 million ($60 million international).
5. "30 Minutes or Less," $13 million.
6. "Cowboys & Aliens," $7.6 million ($7 million
international).
7. "Captain America: The First Avenger," $7.1 million ($12.2
million international).
8. "Crazy, Stupid, Love," $6.93 million.
9. "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2," $6.9
million ($30 million international).
10. "The Change-Up," $6.2 million.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
