‘10,000 B.C.’ leads box-office hunt with $35.7 million debut

? Movie-goers went hunting for their inner caveman as they sat in the dark for the prehistoric adventure “10,000 B.C.,” which led the weekend box office with $35.7 million, according to studio estimates Sunday.

The Warner Bros. visual effects spectacle, which follows a band of people struggling to survive amid woolly mammoths, saber toothed tigers and human marauders, also took in $25.3 million in 20 overseas markets where it began rolling out Wednesday.

Opening in second place was Disney’s Martin Lawrence comedy “College Road Trip,” which pulled in $14 million. Lawrence stars as an overprotective dad who tags along with his daughter (Raven-Symone) on her girls-only trek to choose a college.

Both movies put in decent numbers despite bad reviews.

“10,000 B.C.” came in well behind the openings of past blockbusters from director Roland Emmerich (“Independence Day,” “Godzilla”), whose best debut came four years ago with “The Day After Tomorrow” at $68.7 million.

Dan Fellman, head of distribution for Warner, said Emmerich’s films tend to do better internationally, including “The Day After Tomorrow,” which topped out at $186.7 million domestically and did nearly twice that business overseas.

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Media By Numbers LLC.

1. “10,000 B.C.,” $35.7 million.

2. “College Road Trip,” $14 million.

3. “Vantage Point,” $7.5 million.

4. “Semi-Pro,” $5.8 million.

5. “The Bank Job,” $5.7 million.

6. “The Spiderwick Chronicles,” $4.8 million.

7. “The Other Boleyn Girl,” $4 million.

8. “Jumper,” $3.8 million.

9. “Step Up 2 the Streets,” $3 million.

10. “Fool’s Gold,” $2.8 million.