The Disney kids' flick, starring Hugh Jackman, took in a $27.3 million haul from Friday to Sunday, industry monitor Exhibitor Relations said.
Also in its premiere weekend "The Ides of March" scored a healthy open, surging to the number two spot with $10.5 million total.
"Dolphin Tale," a feel-good family film about a boy who helps a dolphin get a prosthetic tail, dropped out of the top spot to third with $9.1 million, and $49 million to date.
"Moneyball," a sports drama starring Brad Pitt as a baseball coach, was in the number four spot, taking in $7.5 million.
In fifth place was "50/50", a comedy about a 27-year-old man's battle against cancer, which earned $5.6 million.
"Courageous," a police drama, brought in $4.9 million in sixth place for the weekend.
"Lion King - 3D" still raked in $4.6 million in the seventh spot. It has earned $86 million so far in re-release.
"Dream House," a thriller starring real-life couple Daniel Craig and Rachel Weisz, was in the eighth spot with $4.5 million.
"What's Your Number?," the Anna Faris comedy about her search among her exes for the love of her life, was in ninth place with $3.1 million.
Thriller "Contagion," about a lethal virus that goes global, was in the 10th spot with $2.9 million in earnings. (AFP)
