Transformers: Age of Extinction scores biggest opening weekend at US box office

Transformers: Age of Extinction has topped the North American box office, taking $100 million, the biggest opening weekend of the year so far.

The fourth installment in Michael Bay’s franchise also added another $201.3 million from 37 international territories, including $90 million in China alone.

Transformers: Age of Extinction stars Mark Wahlberg as a mechanic who helps the shape-shifting Autobots fight a new enemy.

Made for a reported $200 million, Age of Extinction met industry predictions for its opening weekend.

The new installment topped Dark of the Moon, the third film in the series, which took in $97.9 million in its opening weekend in 2011, but failed to eclipse the $108.9 milion debut of the second film, Revenge of the Fallen.

Transformers: Age of Extinction is expected to secure a strong second week of release, coinciding with the 4^th of July weekend.

The three previous Transformer outings starring Shia LeBeouf as a teenager who befriends robot Optimus Prime, generated nearly $2.7 billion worldwide.

Elsewhere on the chart, 22 Jump Street held firm at number two with $15.4 million, with animation How To Train Your Dragon 2 at three with $13.1 million in box office takings.

Last week’s chart topper, Kevin Hart’s comedy Think Like a Man Too, fell to four with $10.4 million.

Angelina Jolie’s Maleficent was at five with $8.2 million, bringing its total domestic US gross to more than $201 million and its international haul to $586 million.

North American box office Top 5:

1.      Transformers: Age of Extinction – $100 million

2.      22 Jump Street – $15.4 million

3.      How To Train Your Dragon 2 – $13.1 million

4.      Think Like A Man Too – $10.4 million

5.      Maleficent – $8.2 million

Source: Rentrak