Dwayne Johnson’s “San Andreas” has opened with $3.1 million in latenight shows Thursday in the U.S., portending a solid weekend launch for the disaster drama.

Cameron Crowe’s “Aloha” generated a modest $500,000 at 2,275 locations in preview showings on Thursday night, in line with expectations that the Sony comedy-drama will open with in a range of $8 million to $12 million.

Warner Bros.’ 3D “San Andreas,” depicting a massive earthquake in California, is expected to take first place by a wide margin this weekend with about $40 million at 3,777 locations. Village Roadshow Pictures co-financed and co-produced “San Andreas” with Warners for $110 million with much of the movie shot in Australia to take advantage of government incentives.

Johnson plays a helicopter pilot seeking his daughter — portrayed by Alexandra Daddario — in the aftermath of the mega-quake. “San Andreas” is directed by Brad Peyton, who also helmed Johnson in New Line’s “Journey 2: The Mysterious Island.” Carla Gugino and Paul Giamatti also star.

“San Andreas” is also opening in 60 international markets at 13,000 screens this weekend, including such major territories as France, Germany, Russia, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Mexico and Australia.

“Aloha” is the weekend’s other wide opener at 2,815 sites. Bradley Cooper, Emma Stone and Rachel McAdams star in “Aloha,” directed by Cameron Crowe and aimed to serve as a counter-programmer to “San Andreas.”

“Aloha” will probably finish behind a trio of holdovers — Disney’s second weekend of “Tomorrowland” and the third weekends of Universal’s “Pitch Perfect 2″ and Warner Bros.’ “Mad Max: Fury Road.”

In Thursday night previews two weeks ago, “Pitch Perfect 2″ took in $4.6 million and “Mad Max” started with $3.7 million. “Pitch Perfect 2″ has topped $130 million in the U.S. in its first 13 days and “Mad Max” has gone past $100 million.