LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - George Lucas' "Clones" clung to the top spot at the North American box office as overall ticket sales for the Memorial Day holiday surpassed last year's record, according to studio estimates issued Monday.

"Star Wars: Episode II -- Attack of the Clones" ruled the roost for the second consecutive weekend, earning $61.2 million for the four days beginning May 24, said its distributor Twentieth Century Fox.

The space adventure's 12-day total rose to $202.5 million, passing the double-century mark one day faster than its 1999 predecessor, "The Phantom Menace," which ended up with $431 million domestically.

by Brandon Gray - 05.20.02 'AOTC' Conquers the World with $179 Million Opening
 

Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones blasted off with $179.3 million from its unprecedented worldwide launch over the weekend ending May 19, while Spider-Man, About a Boy and others not only survived but thrived under the shadow of the digital epic.

Playing on approximately 6,100 screens at 3,161 theaters across North America, Attack of the Clones pulled in $80,027,814 over the weekend, the third biggest opening ever after Spider-Man's $114,844,116 and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone's $90,294,621.

Unlike those pictures, though, the Clones eased some of its demand with its unusual Thursday bow, delivering a new weekday record of $30,141,417. Add that to the weekend haul and the $115 million prequel rocketed to $110,169,231 in just four days, making it the second fastest movie ever behind Spider-Man to cross the century mark and topping The Phantom Menace's five-day sprint.