Box office: ‘Tarzan,’ ‘BFG’ drowned by ‘Dory’

NEW YORK – Tarzan didn’t roar and The Big Friendly Giant didn’t stomp.

Instead, “Finding Dory” led the box office for the third straight week, taking in $51.4 million over the four-day July 4th weekend according to final studio tallies Tuesday. The weekend’s big-budget debuts, the King of Jungle makeover “The Legend of Tarzan” and Steven Spielberg’s “The BFG” both failed to be major draws.

“Tarzan” fared better than some expected, though, grossing $46.6 million. Spielberg’s Roald Dahl adaptation simply flopped with just $22.7 million.

Given its low budget, the horror sequel “The Purge: Election Year” was the biggest winner of the new openings, scaring up $36.1 million over the holiday frame.

Last week’s take / total take (weeks in release)

1. “Finding Dory” $51,436,383 / $381,785,985 (3)

2. “The Legend of Tarzan” $46,582,405 / $46,582,405 (1)

3. “The Purge: Election Year” $36,139,295 / $36,139,295 (1)

4. “The BFG” $22,716,809 / $22,716,809 (1)

5. “Independence Day: Resurgence” $21,681,926 / $77,838,999 (2)

6. “Central Intelligence” $15,405,059 / $94,842,133 (3)

7. “The Shallows” $10,528,240 / $36,779,887 (2)

8. “Free State Of Jones” $5,302,556 / $16,368,267 (2)

9. “The Conjuring 2” $4,516,713 / $95,950,251 (4)

10. “Now You See Me 2” $3,703,623 / $59,443,068 (4)