The film starring James Franco took in $54 million. That was about $15 million to $20 million more than analysts expected for the "Apes" prequel, though well below the $68.5 million opening of Tim Burton's "Planet of the Apes" remake a decade ago.
"The Smurfs" took the second spot at the box office with $21 million.
Last week's No. 1 movie, "Cowboys & Aliens," slipped to third place with $15.8 million.
"The Change-Up" debuted in fourth place with $13.5 million and "Captain America: The First Avenger" rounded out the top five with $13 million dollars.
The top 10 movies of the weekend were:
1. "Rise of the Planet of the Apes," $54 million ($23.4
million international).
2. "The Smurfs," $21 million ($45.2 million international).
3. "Cowboys & Aliens," $15.8 million.
4. "The Change-Up," $13.5 million.
5. "Captain America: The First Avenger," $13 million ($27.5
million international).
6. "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2," $12.2
million ($61.8 million international).
7. "Crazy, Stupid, Love," $12.1 million.
8. "Friends with Benefits," $4.7 million.
9. "Horrible Bosses," $4.6 million ($7.7 million
international).
10. "Transformers: Dark of the Moon," $3 million ($17.5
million international).
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
