‘Dear John’ Dethrones ‘Avatar’

“Dear John” ended “Avatar’s” seven-week reign at the top of the North American box office over the weekend, according to early estimates. The film, an adaptation of the Nicholas Sparks’ novel about a soldier who falls in love with a college student, made $32.4 million on its debut weekend. The movie, starring Channing Tatum and Amanda Seyfried, has received largely negative reviews but managed to dethrone “Avatar,” the highest-grossing film in history, with more than $3 billion worldwide. James Cameron’s film, which earned nine nominations for next month’s Oscars, earned another $23.6 million over the weekend.