LOS ANGELES, USA (AP) — The Dark Knight Rises topped the box office for the third week in a row, making US$36.4 million this past weekend.

The finale in Christopher Nolan's epic Batman trilogy has now made nearly US$355 million domestically alone, according to yesterday's estimates from Warner Bros.

Total Recall, starring Colin Farrell in a new version of the thriller that helped solidify Arnold Schwarzenegger as an action star in 1990, opened in second place with US$26 million, Columbia Pictures said.

And the Fox family comedy Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days debuted at No 3 with US$14.7 million.

Warner Bros head of distribution Dan Fellman said he wasn't surprised by the film's strong showing in its third week; it only dropped 41 per cent compared to the 43-per cent drop in week three that The Dark Knight experienced in 2008. He also said the film is getting back on track to perform at its expected pace following the opening-night shooting in Aurora, Colorado, that left 12 dead and 58 others injured.

"The support from audiences across North America has been outstanding," Fellman said. "The movie speaks for itself, and the unfortunate tragedy that took place hurt everyone. We're obviously very moved by the events that took place."