The idea of movies is alive and well thanks to Christopher Nolan (and you, America) this weekend, as his Inception hit #1 with $60.4 million. Nix The Dark Knight’s fantastic opening gross, Inception’s bow is so very impressive due to the fact no one could predict how Nolan’s thriller would have panned out. On a budget of $160 million marketing left much to the imagination, a tactic few flicks have benefitted from. Though by sticking to its guns here’s one that broke the rules, throwing audiences a few bangs for their buck. Glowing as we all should be from this, Inception is lit.

Despicable Me fell 42% to second running with $32.7 million. The animated movie’s racked up $118.4 million in ten days. Pretty great, considering what a shy little studio it came out of. Disney’s The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, directed by National Treasure’s hack Jon Turtletaub, crashed this weekend at #3 with $17.4 million. Though on less screens than Inception, you’d think this would have appealed to a more general audience. Opening midweek, Apprentice has only made $24.5 million thus far.

The Twilight Saga: Eclipse continues to do well over preceding New Moon, grabbing $13.5 million this weekend in fourth place and $264.9 million in 19 days. Toy Story 3 inched a spot to #5 with $11.7 million.

Out of the top five-

• The bizarre Standing Ovation (and I use that adjective because I’m not sure how much of an advantage the movie thought it had over Sorcerer’s Apprentice and Inception) debuted with $361,000 at 623 sites.
• 2008 Irish drama Kisses began with $14,600 at two sites.

Here are the box office results according to studio estimates Sunday-

1. 1. Inception…$60.4 million
2. 2. Despicable Me…$32.7 million
3. 3. The Sorcerer’s Apprentice…$17.4 million
4. 4. The Twilight Saga: Eclipse…$13.5 million
5. 5. Toy Story 3…$11.7 million
6. 6. Grown Ups…$10 million
7. 7. The Last Airbender…$7.5 million
8. 8. Predators…$6.8 million
9. 9. Knight & Day…$3.7 million
10. 10. The Karate Kid (2010)…$2.2 million