“Dawn of the Planet of the Apes,” a sequel about genetically altered apes that battle for dominance with humans, has knocked the “Transformers” franchise from the top spot on North Amarican Charts.
The 3D “Apes” movie collected $73 million in ticket sales from Friday through Sunday, according to estimates from Rentrak. “Transformers: Age of Extinction,” a sequel that ruled the box office the two previous weekends, dropped to second place with takings of $16.5 million.
“Apes” picks up the story of the 2011 film “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” 10 years later. Andy Serkis returns as Caesar, a brainy ape who leads his species and negotiates their interactions with the few humans who have survived a deadly virus.
The films are reboots of a franchise that began with the 1968 classic film “Planet of the Apes”, about apes that launch a revolution.
