( EW.com ) -- The USS Enterprise picked up steam throughout the weekend , despite a somewhat unimpressive start . Early estimates show that J.J. Abrams ' `` Star Trek Into Darkness '' ( CinemaScore : A ) could bring in $ 70.6 million on the three-day weekend , and $ 84.1 million for the four and a half days that it has been open . Though nothing to scoff at , it 's still underperforming according to initial projections , which hoped for a $ 100 million extended weekend and $ 80 million on the three-day . The first `` Star Trek '' of the Abrams era opened in early May of 2009 and made an impressive $ 75.2 million on its first weekend out of the gates , without the benefit of 3-D surcharges . This newest film is showing in 336 IMAX 3-D theaters , whereas the first showed in 138 IMAX venues — accounting for $ 8.5 million in ticket sales on its first weekend . EW review : `` Star Trek Into Darkness '' As we previously said , the nature of Abrams ' four different directing projects makes him difficult to analyze in terms of pure box office numbers , so his `` Star Trek '' successes and potential will have to stand on its own . The first film stayed in theaters for 21 weeks , ultimately grossing $ 257.7 million for Paramount . This is a franchise that seems separate from its stars . Chris Pine , who plays Captain Kirk , for example , has not proven to be a box office draw on his own . Again , this opening weekend is n't bad , but it 's interesting to think about why it could n't live up to early estimates — especially considering the runaway success of `` Iron Man 3 . '' Perhaps four years is too big of a gap between films . There was a three-year gap between `` Iron Man 2 '' and `` Iron Man 3 , '' but releasing `` The Avengers '' during the hiatus was likely important for keeping the character present . `` Iron Man 3 '' continues to do well at the box office in spite of the new competition from `` Star Trek Into Darkness , '' making an estimated $ 35.2 million in its third weekend in theaters . This brings its domestic total to $ 337.1 million . `` The Great Gatsby '' took the No . 3 spot with a $ 23.4 million weekend , bringing its domestic total to an estimated $ 90.2 million . The $ 100 million mark is close for Baz Luhrmann , and it would be a first for the Australian director , even accounting for price inflation . This could partially be the Leonardo DiCaprio effect , the ubiquity and appeal of the novel , or an indication that there is room amidst sci-fi and comic book blockbusters for other types of films — even if this literary adaptation is also a 3-D release . Leonardo DiCaprio : Could anyone else have been Jay Gatsby ? The No . 4 spot went to Michael Bay 's `` Pain & Gain , '' which made $ 3.1 million in 2,429 locations . It 's only down 38 percent from last week despite the fact that it lost 874 theaters . The relatively inexpensive ( $ 26 million ) Dwayne Johnson/Mark Wahlberg flick has made $ 46.7 million domestically so far . Rounding out the top five is `` The Croods , '' the Nicolas Cage and Emma Stone-voiced cave-family animated picture , which last appeared on the list two weeks ago . The $ 135 million movie has made an estimated $ 176.6 million domestically in its 9 weeks in theaters . As one of the only family friendly films available in theaters at the moment , it 's unsurprising that it continues to quietly do well . 1 . `` Star Trek Into Darkness '' — $ 70.6 million ( 3-day ) 2 . `` Iron Man 3 '' — $ 35.2 million . 3 . `` The Great Gatsby '' -- $ 23.4 million . 4 . `` Pain and Gain '' — $ 3.1 million . 5 . `` The Croods '' — $ 2.8 million . Noah Baumbach 's `` Frances Ha '' also opened this weekend in four theaters , bringing in $ 134,000 with an impressive per theater average . Baumbach 's previous three films all played in under 200 theaters . Check back next weekend for some powerhouse face-offs , with Universal 's `` Fast & Furious 6 , '' Warner Bros. `` The Hangover Part III '' and Fox 's `` Epic '' all opening wide . See the original story at EW.com . CLICK HERE to Try 2 RISK FREE issues of Entertainment Weekly . © 2011 Entertainment Weekly and Time Inc. All rights reserved .
J.J. Abrams 'Star Trek Into Darkness ' landed at No . 1 at the box office . Although it made $ 70.6 million in three days , that was lower than initial projections . 'Iron Man 3 ' continues to do well despite competition from the new 'Star Trek ' That movie made $ 35.2 million in its third weekend .