DreamWorks Animation's "Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted" debuted as a box office favorite this weekend, raking in $60.4 million. It reunited voice stars Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, Jada Pinkett Smith and David Schwimmer as the zoo animals continue their travels by joining a circus.
The third installment of the animated series outdid the $47.2 million debut in 2005, but was behind the $63.1 million opening of the first sequel in 2008.
Coming in at No. 2 was Ridley Scott's alien saga "Prometheus" with $50 million.
Universal's "Snow White & the Huntsman" slipped to third place with $23 million.
The top 10 films of the weekend were:
1. "Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted," $60.4 million ($75.5 million).
2. "Prometheus," $50 million ($39.2 million international).
3. "Snow White & the Huntsman," $23 million ($24.6 million international).
4. "Men in Black 3," $13.5 million ($38.3 million international).
5. "The Avengers," $10.8 million ($7.8 million international).
6. "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel," $3.2 million ($342,000 international).
7. "What to Expect When You're Expecting," $2.7 million.
8. "Battleship," $2.3 million.
9. "The Dictator," $2.2 million ($4.9 million international).
10. "Moonrise Kingdom," $1.6 million.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.