‘Batman v Superman’ Takes #1 Spot at US Weekend Box Office

Not that we’re surprised, because we’re not. However, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice has soared to the top of the North American box office in its opening weekend.

The superhero blockbuster, starring Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Gal Gadot and Amy Adams, has been marred by mixed reviews (including our own), but fans have flocked to the theaters to help it earn $170 million, which is reportedly $20 million more than experts’ projections. The figure has also helped the film break opening records over the Easter holiday and bring its global earnings to $424 million, the best ever for a superhero film.

Critics have given the movie negative reviews, but the stars have staunchly defended the film, insisting it was made for the fans. Ben Affleck apparently agrees.

“What is really going to matter, I believe, is what the audience says,”Cavill told Yahoo! Movies. “Because they’re the ones who are buying tickets, they’re the ones who want to see more of this kind of story or not and so the audience’s voice is loudest and after this weekend the audience, at least partly, will have spoken.”

Batman v Superman Box Office Results: #1 Weekend Film

“I know that Zack (Snyder, director) doesn’t make the movies – or none of us – are making the movies for the critics,” Adams added. “You can’t go into it with that perspective. I know we really hope the fans like it and so far the reaction has been really positive on that front. If you’re interested in a film you should see it and form your own opinion rather than just going on the word of somebody (else).”

The North American box office’s previous reigning number one film, Zootopia, slips to the second spot with $23 million, while My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 comes in third with $18.1 million.

Allegiant and Miracles From Heaven round out the top five, respectively.