'Guardians of the Galaxy' draws $94M in weekend debut

"Guardians of the Galaxy" blasted past expectations at the weekend box office.

Marvel Studios' cosmic romp starring Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana and Dave Bautista as members of an intergalactic band of rebels earned $94 million in its debut weekend, The Associated Press reports. Before its Friday debut, box office analysts initially projected that the comic book adaptation might bring in $60 million to $75 million in North America.

The out-of-this-world launch gives "Guardians" the biggest opening for a film released in the traditionally low-key month of August. The record had been held by the $69.2 million debut of "The Bourne Ultimatum" in 2007.