Los Angeles ? “Despicable Me” wasn’t such a bad guy after all, it seems, opening at the top of the box office with an estimated $60.1 million.

The first 3-D animated movie from Universal Pictures stars Steve Carell as the voice of Gru, a bumbling villain with plans to steal the moon — until three adorable orphan girls enter his life. Jason Segel, Russell Brand and Julie Andrews are among the star-studded voice cast.

The week’s other new wide release, “Predators,” grossed $25.3 million to open at No. 3. A sequel of sorts to the 1987 sci-fi cult classic “Predator,” the 20th Century Fox film stars Adrien Brody and Laurence Fishburne as mercenaries being stalked by alien hunters in the jungle.

Next weekend brings “Inception,” Christopher Nolan’s hugely anticipated first film since the blockbuster “The Dark Knight,” which opened on the same weekend two years ago.

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Hollywood.com:

1. “Despicable Me,” $60.1 million.
2. “The Twilight Saga: Eclipse,” $33.35 million.
3. “Predators,” $25.3 million.
4. “Toy Story 3,” $22 million.
5. “The Last Airbender,” $17.15 million.
6. “Grown Ups,” $16.4 million.
7. “Knight and Day,” $7.85 million.
8. “The Karate Kid,” $5.7 million.
9. “The A-Team,” $1.8 million.
10. “Cyrus,” $1.4 million.