New challengers have posed no problems forThe Avengers.

The superhero spectacle is smashing its way to another easy box office victory with a projected $52 million haul in its third weekend, far ahead of some high-profile new releases.

The Avengers is on a historic pace, poised to have more than $450 million in domestic receipts after just 17 days in theaters.

Battleship, featuring Rihanna and aliens, is expected to open in second place with $26 million or so.

Sacha Baron Cohen’s latest provocation,The Dictator, should debut at #3 in the $15-17 million range.

The new ensemble pregnancy comedy What to Expect When You’re Expecting ($12 million) should edge out Johnny Depp’s vampire turn in Dark Shadows ($11.5 million) for fourth place.

It’s a bit of a drop after that, with Think Like A Man, The Hunger Games and The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel all bunched together around $2.5-3 million.

The Hunger Games is creeping closer to the $4oo million mark after nine weeks in theaters.

The Lucky One ($1.7 million) and Pirates! Band of Misfits ($1.4 million) should round out the Top 10.