Box Office: "The Dark Knight Rises" Easily Retains Top Spot » Gossip

 The Dark Knight Rises

Box Office: "The Dark Knight Rises" Easily Retains Top Spot » Gossip - Still managing to churn out solid numbers following the tragic shooting rampage which claimed numerous lives in Aurora, Colorado on opening night, "The Dark Knight Rises" easily retained the top spot at the box office to begin the weekend of July 27-29, 2012.

Void of any serious threats to its pole position standing, Christopher Nolan's final Batman installment starring Christian Bale and Anne Hathaway nearly quadrupled the nearest competitor while notching an estimated $20.1 million on Friday and pacing towards a $66.7 million sophomore weekend box office total.

Situated in a distant second place standing is the Scott Speer directed dancing drama "Step Up Revolution," as the Summit Entertainment produced theatrical newcomer garnered $5.5 million on opening day which puts its projected first weekend earnings at a tepid $13.2 million.

Filling out the top five at the box office in expected totals are the just-released Vince Vaughn/Jonah Hill/Ben Stiller starring comedy "The Watch" ($13 million), followed by Twentieth Century Fox Animation/Blue Sky Studios' animated tale "Ice Age: Continental Drift" ($11.5 million) and Mark Wahlberg and Mila Kunis' talking teddy bear film "Ted" ($6.2 million).