'Transformers,' 'Ice Age' Battle for Top

Paramount's Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen and Twentieth Century Fox's 3-D toon Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs ended Thursday in a photo finish at the domestic box office, with Transformers 2 narrowly winning.

Transformers 2 grossed $11.5 million from 4,234 runs, putting its domestic cume at $250.9 million in its 9th day in release. Ice Age 3 grossed $11.1 million from 4,032 for a two-day cume of $24.9 million in its second day in release. Of its total theater count, roughly 1,606 are 3-D screens.

One studio exec said the B.O. is poised for a very solid holiday weekend, pointing out there is "something for everyone," whether action tentpole, family fare or adult drama. Ice Age 3 opened mid-week in order to get a jump on the holiday weekend, when traffic could be slowed because of July 4th falling on a Saturday.

Box office observers say Ice Age 3 and Transformers 2 could remain in a dead heat over the weekend. Ice Age 3 and Transformers 2 also go head-to-head at the international box office.

By Pamela McClintock, Variety