LOS ANGELES – Bolstered by strong reviews and positive word of mouth, “The Help” racked up a solid $4.3M at the Thursday box office and $25.5M during the weekend totaling $35.4M. “The Help” came in second.

The Civil Rights era drama screened in 2,534 theaters across the U.S. and Canada this weekend.

Shot for $25M, the DreamWorks’ adaptation of Kathryn Stockett’s best-selling novel focuses on Southern society women and their African-American servants.

 ‘Apes’ Hangs On To Domestic Box Office Lead

Nothing could stop angry apes from tearing through the domestic weekend box office as “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” took the lead with an estimated $27.5M in U.S. and Canadian ticket sales plus $40.5M internationally.