"The Expendables 2" poster [Photo: douban.com]

An R-rated action sequel, an animated feature, a musical featuring Whitney Houston's final performance and a magical story about a childless couple have all made their way into the top 10 most popular films in North America this weekend, as they debuted with positive reviews and handsome ticket receipts.

"The Expendables 2", an action-packed feature released by independent distributor Lionsgate, is estimated to bank 28.75 million dollars, a feat robust enough to propel it to overtake "The Bourne Legacy" as the No. 1 film in the box office derby. The film hit theaters in 3,316 venues in the United States and Canada, but its receipts paled with its predecessor - 34.8 million dollars.

The film, which cost 100 million dollars to make and features veteran action star Sylvester Stallone and his castmates from the last flick, including Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jet Li, Jean-Claude Van Damme and Bruce Willis, appeals mainly to male and older audiences. Of those who have seen it, 63 percent was male and 65 percent was at least 25 years old. Movie-goers gave it an average grade of "A-", market research firm CinemaScore said.

"The Bourne Legacy", in second weekend, was No. 2 with 17 million dollars in receipts, a 55.4 percent drop from last weekend. The Universal actioner has grossed 69.6 million dollars so far from exhibition in North America.

"ParaNorman", a stop-action animated film distributed by Focus Features, debuted as No. 3 for a 14-million-dollar weekend. The film, the second of its kind from Laika Entertainment, follows a boy who is able to communicate with the dead. It received a CinemaScore of "B+".

"The Campaign", a political comedy which was No. 2 last weekend, banked 13.4 million dollars to settle for fourth place. "Sparkle", a low-budget remake about a fictional Motown 60s pop trio and features final performance by the late pop diva Whitney Houston, opened in fifth place with a 12-million-dollar gate.

Warner Bros. action epic "The Dark Knight Rises" is on track to rake in 11.1 million dollars as No. 5. It has crossed the 400-million mark in North America box office.

"The Odd Life of Timothy Green", a Disney flick about a childless couple's effort to conceive one, opened in No. 7, taking in 10.9 million dollars.