'Hunger Games' at No. 1 for fourth weekend

Jennifer Lawrence stars as Katniss Everdeen in "The Hunger Games,"... — Jennifer Lawrence stars as Katniss Everdeen in "The Hunger Games," released by Lionsgate in theaters March 23, 2012. Credit: Lionsgate

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSApril 15, 2012

Fans have chosen real movie violence over the slapstick variety as "The Hunger Games" held off "The Three Stooges" to remain the No. 1 weekend movie.

Lionsgate's "The Hunger Games," the blockbuster about teens competing in a televised fight to the death, stayed on top for a fourth-straight weekend with $21.5 million. That raises the film's domestic total to $337.1 million.

"I think a couple of weeks ago, if someone had told us where we'd be, we would have said, 'We'd like to see that number, but it would be a pleasant surprise.' So we're in that pleasant surprise spot at this point," said Richie Fay, head of distribution for Lionsgate.

Peter and Bobby Farrelly's slapstick update "The Three Stooges" opened in second-place with $17.1 million.