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After months upon months of box office speculation, John Carter finally opened and as expected was a huge disappointment. The mega-budget sci-fi epic wasn't even able to unseat The Lorax, which held first place for the second-straight weekend. The other openers, Silent House and A Thousand Words, also performed poorly on a weekend where overall box office was at around $137 million (up just six percent from last year).

On Friday, at least, John Carter failed to overcome an awful marketing effort and barely took first place ahead of last weekend's winner The Lorax. Silent House and A Thousand Words were also disappointing, and it looks like this could be the first weekend of 2012 to see a year-over-year decline. Todd PhillipsEddie Murphy

Midnight Update: The first numbers are in for John Carter, and they aren't looking good at all. The movie earned an estimated $500,000 from midnight shows last night, which is about on par with Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time. That movie wound up with $30.1 million in its opening weekend—considering Prince of Persia is a slightly more recognizable brand and opened during the Summer, it's likely John Carter's debut is a bit higher. Eddie MurphyJon HammAdam ScottMegan FoxKristen Wiig

Journey 2: The Mysterious Island was back in first place at the overseas box office this weekend, though with a fairly low tally.

Combining a strong brand and an impressive marketing effort, The Lorax crushed even the wildest expectations with one of the best opening weekends ever for an animated movie. Project X also had a respectable debut on a weekend where overall grosses topped $167 million, which is up 25 percent from the same frame last year.Danny DeVitoTodd PhillipsTyler Perry

On Theodor Geisel's 108th birthday, Dr. Seuss' The Lorax took first place at the box office with an estimated $17.4 million. That's the best opening day since The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1's monster debut last November, and it's also the best start for an animated movie since Cars 2 last June. Tyler Perry

The message couldn't have been any clearer this February—if the movies seem worthwhile, audiences will still turn away from their TVs and computers and head to their local movie theater. Channing TatumRachel McAdamsDenzel WashingtonDaniel RadcliffeTyler Perry

Midnight Update (3/2): Project X got off to a solid start last night with $1.15 million from midnight shows at 1,003 locations. That gross pretty much guarantees that Project X won't be a flop; however, ads for the past week have almost all mentioned the midnight screenings, which surely helped boost these grosses a bit. No midnight grosses are currently available for The Lorax, though it's unlikely they were very significant given the movie's family audience.Christopher MeledandriChris RenaudKen DaurioCinco PaulDanny DeVito

It may never have ranked higher than third place domestically, but Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance found its way in to first place at the overseas box office this weekend with close to $22 million. It opened on top in Russia with a massive $8.2 million, and had a quieter $2.2 million start in Germany. It also retained first place in Brazil with a strong $2.7 million. The comic book sequel has now made around $44 million overseas.Denzel WashingtonRyan Reynolds

Starring a group of "active duty Navy SEALs," Act of Valor trounced a handful of movies with major names attached this weekend. The movie wound up in first place with $24.5 million from 3,039 locations, which is just a little bit less than Tyler Perry's Good Deeds, Wanderlust and Gone made combined. Overall box office was at over $132 million this weekend, which is up a whopping 20 percent from the same frame last year. Tyler PerryDenzel WashingtonChanning TatumRachel McAdams

Active duty Navy SEALs proved much more interesting than Tyler Perry, Jennifer Aniston or Amanda Seyfried on Friday, as Act of Valor easily took first place on its opening day. Good Deeds had a decent start, though it ranks low compared to most of Perry's movies, while Wanderlust and Gone look to be on their way to the discount bin. Bruce WillisMel GibsonDenzel WashingtonRyan ReynoldsPaul Rudd

More so than in past years, March 2012's releases look like they could have been plucked straight from a Summer lineup. The Lorax, The Hunger Games and Wrath of the Titans will all likely reach $100 million, while John Carter is shooting for well over that mark despite a troubled production and marketing history. Comedies Project X and 21 Jump Street are also receiving strong advanced buzz, and could be hits in their own right as well. The March recordwas set in 2010 ($832.3 million), and with all these major titles reaching theaters there's an awfully good chance March 2012 reaches a new high mark. Danny DeVitoTodd PhillipsEddie MurphyJonah HillChanning Tatum

At the end of what could become the highest-grossing February in history, four new releases enter the fray this weekend. Act of Valor is targeting first place with a very wide release (3,039 theaters), though it will face tough competition from Tyler Perry's Good Deeds (around 2,800 screens at 2,132 venues). Wanderlust (2,001 theaters) and Gone (2,186 locations) are also debuting this weekend, though it's unlikely either of them creates much of a stir.Mel GibsonBruce WillisTyler PerryJudd ApatowPaul RuddDavid WainJennifer AnistonAmanda Seyfried

Journey 2: The Mysterious Island is quickly turning in to an early year hit at the overseas box office. The sequel once again topped the charts this weekend with $27.5 million from 43 markets for a total of $130 million. It added $9.5 million in China and $4.1 million in Russia, and opened in second in France with $3.1 million. Journey 2 is now only a few days away from passing the original Journey to the Center of the Earth's $140.3 million foreign total, and a $200 million finish seems well within reach. Based on available figures, Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance finished in second with around $12.5 million. It was okay in the U.K. and France ($2.1 million in both markets) but was more successful in Mexico ($1.6 million) and Malaysia ($1.1 million). This Means War took third with $11 million from 15 territories. It had an impressive $5.9 million first place start in Russia, and was also strong in Australia ($3.1 million including previews).

After finishing in third on Friday, Safe House played well on Saturday and Sunday and edged past The Vow and the disappointing Ghost Rider sequel to claim first place over Presidents Day Weekend. Journey 2 held extremely well and took first place by a wide margin on Monday, while This Means War opened decently in fifth. For the four-day weekend, the Top 12 earned $171.5 million, which is a 10 percent improvement from the same weekend last year.Denzel WashingtonNicolas Cage

Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance sputtered out of the gate on Friday, allowing The Vow to once again claim first place at the box office. Safe House is also in the mix, and should pass Ghost Rider by the end of President's Day Weekend. This Means War had a surprisingly solid debut in fourth place, while The Secret World of Arrietty looks to be right in line with low expectations.Denzel Washington