Los Angeles ? Movie-goers elected a “W,” but it was Mark Wahlberg, above, not George W. Bush.

Wahlberg’s action flick “Max Payne” debuted with $18 million to outdo Oliver Stone’s film biography of George W. Bush, according to studio estimates Sunday.

Stone’s “W.” actually ran fourth for the weekend, opening with $10.6 million.

Lionsgate’s “W.,” starring Josh Brolin as Bush, came in well behind the $18.7 million debut of Stone’s last movie, 2006’s Sept. 11 saga “World Trade Center.” That movie opened in nearly 3,000 theaters, about 900 more than “W.,” however.

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

1. “Max Payne,” $18 million.

2. “Beverly Hills Chihuahua,” $11.2 million.

3. “The Secret Life of Bees,” $11.1 million.

4. “W.,” $10.6 million.

5. “Eagle Eye,” $7.3 million.

6. “Body of Lies,” $6.9 million.

7. “Quarantine,” $6.3 million.

8. “Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist,” $3.9 million.

9. “Sex Drive,” $3.6 million.

10. “Nights in Rodanthe,” $2.7 million.