One comic book adaptation reclaimed the top spot at the box office this weekend, while another flopped big time.

James Gunn Confirms Character For 'Guardians' & 'Thor 2'

Returning to the top spot after two weeks at number 2 is Guardians of the Galaxy with $17.6 million. As is typically the case with Marvel features, Guardians used a weekend highlighted by underperformers to make its play for the top spot yet again. Thus far, the film has grossed $251 million domestic (#3) and $489 million worldwide (#10), and is the highest grossing movie of the summer. Next up: highest grossing movie of the year.

Coming in at number 2 is Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles with $16.8 million. Although the Michael Bay-produced blockbuster finally gave up ground to Marvel, it’s still doing very well considering some believed the film wouldn’t find success. So far, TMNT has grossed $145 million domestic and $238 million worldwide.

If I Stay (read our review) is the number 3 film this weekend with $16.3 million. Another adaptation of a popular young adult novel, If I Stay under-delivered based on pre-weekend projections but still found somewhat of an audience. However, we’d recommend star Chloe Moretz (Kick-Ass) stick to more action-heavy roles in the future if she’s interested in bigger box office numbers.

if i stay chloe moretz jamie blackley Weekend Box Office Wrap Up: August 24th, 2014

In at number 4 is Let’s Be Cops with $11 million. The unique buddy cop comedy held better than most over the weekend and has grossed $45 million so far. That’s obviously not 22 Jump Street or Neighbors type numbers, but it’s a respectable total for an R-rated comedy starring TV actors.

Rounding out the top 5 is When the Game Stands Stall with $9 million. An obvious play for the feel good crowd, this football drama did fine business all things considered. It obviously didn’t steal a sizable share of the weekend gross like Sony was hoping for, but given the low budget and material we wouldn’t call this one a bomb.

The Giver comes in at number 6 with $6.7 million, which brings its domestic total up to $24 million. The film continues to track below the more successful YA adaptations and is struggling to hold onto its audience. Might as well put The Giver in the failed literary adaptation pile right now.

The number 7 film this weekend is The Expendables 3 with $6.6 million. Given the film’s tepid reaction at release we aren’t surprised to see Stallone & Co’s latest outing continue to tumble. Blame piracy, poor marketing, or a bunk story – whatever the case may be, The Expendables franchise should be put to rest after this.

Sin City 2 A Dame to Kill For Movie Cast 570x285 Weekend Box Office Wrap Up: August 24th, 2014

Coming in at a disappointing number 8 is Frank Miller’s Sin City: A Dame to Kill For (read our review) with $6.4 million. Budgeted somewhere between $60M and $70M, Sin City 2 is easily one of the biggest bombs of the summer, if not the year.

Had the sequel released 8 years ago, it might have found an audience, but clearly moviegoer expectations have changed when it comes to comic book adaptations. Style will only get you so far nowadays; it’s the substance that helps a film like Guardians of the Galaxy find blockbuster-level success.

In at number 9 is The Hundred-Foot Journey with $5.5 million. Helen Mirren’s foodie flick continues to hold well (only a 22% drop) and is now up to $32 million after three weeks.

Rounding out the top 10 is Into the Storm with $3.8 million. Although this tornado-centric thriller failed to hit when it initially released, Into the Storm has pulled in a decent sum over the last three weeks. So far the film has grossed $38 million.

[NOTE: These are only weekend box office estimates - based on Friday and Saturday ticket sales coupled with adjusted expectations for Sunday. Official weekend box office results will be released on Monday, August 25th - at which time we'll update this post with any changes.]