‘The Help’ Outranks 'Planet of the Apes' in its Second Week at $20.5 [PHOTOS]

‘Planet Apes’ may have been a solid hit but it’s not solid enough for ‘Help’, which came out on top at the weekend box office in its second weekend.

Raking in an estimated $20.5 million, “Help” starring Viola Davis and Emma Watson outearned “Rise of the Planet of the Apes,” which raked in a significant low earnings at $16.3 million.

It looks like more had wanted to see the drama about Southern black maids by the Dreamworks Pictures than the struggles faced by the apes against the humankind.

Topping the box office should not come as a surprise for “Help” after it placed No. 2 when it debuted last week. “The Help” now raised its domestic total to $71.8 million, said the Associated Press.

"The Help” is based on the novel written by Kathryn Stockett, which became one of the best-selling novels after its readers talked the novel up and encouraged friends to get hold of the copy.The same trend is being seen by movie experts as happening with “Help”, “believed to be holding strong with the audiences inviting friends to go see it”, said Dave Hollis, head of distribution for Disney.

"It is a rare feat to see a film not open at No. 1 and then become No. 1," Hollis said, according to the Associated Press. "To me, it's a testament of it being a great film, as well as the viral nature of the word of mouth about it."

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Completing the line-up of the films on top ten box-office - - based on the ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and North American theaters - - are the following, according to AP, citing the list from the Hollywood.com:

1. "The Help," $20.5 million.

2. "Rise of the Planet of the Apes," $16.3 million.

3. "Spy Kids: All the Time in the World," $12 million.

4. "Conan the Barbarian," $10 million.

5. "Fright Night," $8.3 million.

6. "The Smurfs," $8 million ($35.3 million international).

7. "Final Destination 5," $7.7 million.

8. "30 Minutes or Less," $6.3 million.

9. "One Day," $5.1 million.

10. "Crazy, Stupid, Love," $5 million.