Mammoths and multiplexes go hand in hand, apparently, especially if said mammoths are of the CGI variety. According to Boxofficemojo, 10,000 B.C., Time Warner's (NYSE: TWX) prehistoric epic, pounded the rest of its competition like an angry caveman warrior clubbing a saber-toothed tiger (I didn't see the film, but I assume this happened at some point during the plot). The film is estimated to have taken in over $35 million (final numbers are due later today) at domestic theaters over the weekend. Disney (NYSE: DIS) couldn't even come close to Time Warner -- its family comedy, College Road Trip, right now stands at a gross of $14 million, which was at least good enough for second place. Erstwhile Disney Channel phenomenon Raven-Symone star in the flick, so at least there was a little bit of synergy in that respect -- Disney is nothing if not about synergy, as we all know.

Sony's (NYSE: SNE) Vantage Point came in third, and Time Warner's Semi-Pro, starring the hilarious Will Ferrell, came in fourth. Lions Gate's (NYSE: LGF) The Bank Job, which achieved fifth position, actually did pretty well, considering that its per-theater average of approximately $3500 was much higher than the per-theater average for the two films above it.

I guess it's not so surprising that 10,000 B.C. brought in the crowds -- Time Warner competently positioned the film to attract the youthful first-weekend demos. But, I have to say, the movie was written and directed by Roland Emmerich, who helmed a sci-fi flick I absolutely hated -- Independence Day. I have no idea how anyone could like that film, but hey, it doesn't matter what I think, since it was a monster hit back in 1996. (By the way, his take on Godzilla was no piece of cinematic genius, either -- Emmerich should study Cloverfield carefully to see what makes a great monster movie great).

Time Warner shareholders can be proud of their company considering the performance of 10,000 B.C., but with reports pegging the budget as being north of $100 million, the movie needs to keep the grosses going in subsequent weekends so that its profit potential doesn't become extinct.

Disclosure: Steven Mallas owns shares of Disney; positions can change at any time.