The young teen book “The Hunger Games” has proven to be a box office stud, opening with the 3rd highest opening of all time and the highest non summer release of all time.

The Hunger Games has devoured the box office

beating out other top movies such as Spider-Man 3 ($151.1 million in 2007), The Twilight Saga: New Moon ($142.8 million in 2009) and The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1 ($138.1 million last year). It came just short of the top 2 which were The Dark Knight $158.4 millionin its July 2008 and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 with $169.2 million in summer 2011.

“It was the perfect storm. Having the first film in a franchise to be so gigantic is amazing. We had a great book and a great director in Gary Ross,” said Lionsgate president of marketing Tim Palen.

Rounding out the weekends top 5 was 80’s remake 21 Jump Street at #2 with $21.3 million. Environmental message movie “Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax” at #3 with $13.1 million, at #4 is Disney’s massive flop “John Carter” with $5 million, and rounding out the top 5 is the incredible action flick “Act of Valor” with $2.1 million.

The Hunger games continues the trend this week of critics and fans alike enjoying a film. on Rotten Tomatoes the film is scoring an 85% from critics and an 88% from fans.