In an unsprising turn of events, the much-anticipated film The Hunger Games has battled its way to the top of the box office this weekend, placing third among all time opening weekends (just behind The Dark Knight) with $152.5 million.

The action film -- based on the young adult novel of the same name -- pushed last week's number one movie, 21 Jump Street, to second place, having earned $21.3 million. The animated film Dr. Seuss' The Lorax came in third with $13.1 million while Disney's John Carter flop managed to take in $5 million, securing the number 4 spot. The NAVY Seal film The Act of Valor hung on to its number 5 spot with $2.1 million.

1. The Hunger Games, Lionsgate, $152,535,747 (avg. $36,871)
2. 21 Jump Street, Sony, $21,300,000 (avg. $6,825)
3. Dr. Seuss' The Lorax, Universal, $13,100,000 (avg. $3,563)
4. John Carter, Disney, $5,014,000 (avg. $1,561)
5. Act of Valor, Relativity, $2,062,000 (avg. $931)
6. Project X, Warner Bros., $1,950,000 (avg. $944)
7. A Thousand Words, Paramount/DreamWorks, $1,925,000 (avg. $1,077)
8. October Baby (2012), Samuel Goldwyn, $1,718,000 (avg. $4,405)
9. Safe House, Universal, $1,400,000 (avg. $1,053)
10. Journey 2: The Mysterious Island, Warner Bros., $1,373,000 (avg. $1,025)