LOS ANGELES — “Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian” has claimed a box office victory over “Terminator Salvation.”

The live-action family comedy starring Ben Stiller won $70 million in ticket sales over the Memorial Day weekend, according to estimates from distributor 20th Century Fox. That put it well ahead of the first movie, which had a $30.4 million three-day opening in December 2006.
“Terminator Salvation” pulled in $53.8 million over the holiday weekend — plus $13.4 million on opening day Thursday — bringing the post-apocalyptic action film starring Christian Bale and Sam Worthington to a total of $67.2 million since debuting, according to distributor Warner Bros.