The box office results for the weekend of May 11th – 13th sees another set of firsts from the first summer release of 2012. The Avengers do unprecedented things while the powerful tag-team of Depp and Burton feel their mortality. Here are the studio estimates:

1. Marvel’s The Avengers ($103.1 million)

2. Dark Shadows ($28.8 million)

3. Think Like a Man ($6.3 million)

4. The Hunger Games ($4.4 million)

5. The Lucky One ($4 million)

6. The Pirates! Band of Misfits ($3.2 million)

7. The Five-Year Engagement ($3 million)

8. The Best Exotic Marigold Motel ($2.6 million)

9. Chimpanzee ($1.6 million)

10. The Raven ($1.3 million)

Analysis

Dark Shadows had the ideal scenario: an early summer release date; one of the biggest box-office draws in the business playing the lead; and no competition from any other new release that weekend. And while most flicks would bleed for an opening weekend scenario such as this…not many are saddled with a $150 million production budget. With lukewarm response from both the lovely critics and audiences, and more blockbusters coming into the forefront this week, things aren’t looking too lively for everyone involved with this product. At this stage of the game, Burton and Depp should shake hands and be proud of their earlier artistic history; for they really haven’t conjured up the magic with regards to their last two releases (Alice in Wonderland being the other; the majority of the blame on Burton in this guy’s opinion.

Now Marvel’s The Avengers (and if I do not include “Marvel’s” in the title, the regional rep sends you an angry email), became the first movie to see at least $100 million during its second weekend. It also was the fastest to reach all the money it’s making to this point. And even with the massive opening weekend record, the superhero dream team only dropped 50%, showing amazing staying power that many franchise blockbusters yearn for. The domestic total has already sky-rocketed to $373 million and the worldwide tally has crossed $1 billion.

The Hunger Games currently holds the longest streak in the top ten with 8 weeks. Domestically, the Lionsgate release sits at $387 million, good for 13th all-time.

Entering the summer arena this week is a full slate that should take some of the steam out of The Avengers‘ record-breaking run. The Dictator takes the first shot going with the traditional summer Wednesday opening. On Friday, Battleship emerges with some high-priced sci-fi action while What to Expect When You’re Expecting will go with the alternate game plan in trying to attract the ladies to a star-studded romantic-comedy. Reviews will be right here my fellow Shockers!