'The SpongeBob Movie' displaces 'American Sniper' at No. 1

"The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water" finally unseated Clint Eastwood's runaway hit "American Sniper" at the weekend box office, while a pair of high-priced fantasies flopped.

Paramount Pictures' "SpongeBob Movie" earned $56 million in North America, a huge debut for the animated Nickelodeon big-screen transfer, according to estimates Sunday. That finally pushed "American Sniper" off the top spot after a three-week reign. The Navy SEAL drama took in $24.2 million in its fourth week of wide release.

The Wachowskis' lavish science-fiction adventure "Jupiter Ascending" opened with just $19 million, a meager amount for a $175 million production. Warner Bros. delayed the release of the movie, starring Channing Tatum and Mila Kunis, from last summer.

Universal's "Seventh Son," a supernatural thriller set in medieval times, debuted with a scant $7.1 million. The film, produced by Legendary Pictures and starring Jeff Bridges, cost nearly $100 million to make.

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters:

1. "The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water," $56 million.

2. "American Sniper," $24.2 million.

4. "Seventh Son," $7.1 million.

5. "Paddington," $5.4 million.

6. "Project Almanac," $5.3 million.

7. "The Imitation Game," $4.9 million.

8. "The Wedding Ringer," $4.8. million.

10. "The Boy Next Door," $4.2 million.