'Exodus' beats 'The Hunger Games'

Ridley Scott's epic Exodus: Gods and Kings easily shot to the top of the weekend box office, earning $24.5 million. The Old Testament tale starring Christian Bale and Joel Edgerton took advantage of a slow weekend to dethrone The Hunger Games: Mockingjay — Part 1, which has held onto the top spot for the past three weeks.

The multitudes of moviegoers for “Exodus” knocked “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1” to second place, according to estimates from the sources. The third film in the dystopian thriller series starring Jennifer Lawrence earned $13.2 million at domestic theatres, bringing its total to $277.4 million. DreamWorks Animation film “Penguins of Madagascar” finished in the No. 3 spot with $7.3 million from Friday through Sunday, while Chris Rock’s comedy “Top Five” grabbed fourth place with $7.2 million. Fifth place went to Walt Disney Co’s animated film “Big Hero 6” with $6.1 million.