'Rango' wrangles No.1 weekend spot

LOS ANGELES - "Rango" has lassoed the top spot at the box office.

The animated Paramount film featuring Johnny Depp as the voice of a Wild West chameleon sheriff rode into town with a $38 million debut, according to studio estimates released Sunday.

"Rango," which was directed by "Pirates of the Caribbean" film franchise maestro Gore Verbinski, is the first animated feature from Industrial Light and Magic, the special effects studio founded by George Lucas in 1975.

Universal's mind-bending thriller "The Adjustment Bureau," starring Matt Damon and Emily Blunt, debuted in the No. 2 spot with $20.9 million. CBS Films' fantasy tale "Beastly" with Alex Pettyfer and Vanessa Hudgens opened at No. 3 with $10.1 million. It was another down weekend for Hollywood, with grosses coming in less than the corresponding weekend last year.

"The King's Speech," which ruled last week's Academy Awards with 12 wins, maintained the No. 7 place this weekend with $6.5 million.

The weekend's other wide release, Relativity Media's throwback comedy "Take Me Home Tonight" starring Topher Grace and Anna Faris, took home $3.5 million in the No. 11 spot. Movies opening next weekend include the sci-fi saga "Battle: Los Angeles" and the PG-13 fairytale "Red Riding Hood."

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2. "The Adjustment Bureau," $20.9 million.

3. "Beastly," $10.1 million

4. "Hall Pass," $9 million.

5. "Gnomeo and Juliet," $6.9 million.

6. "Unknown," $6.6 million.

8. "Just Go With It," $6.5 million.

9. "I Am Number Four," $5.7 million.