A sci-fi love story has given way to an earthbound romance at the box office.

Dear John is the story of an American's experiences in the U.S. army after 2001. It debuted as the No. 1 movie with $32.4 million, knocking off Avatar, which spent seven weekends in first place.

Adapted from Nicholas Sparks' novel, Dear John stars Channing Tatum and Amanda Seyfried in a long-distance love story.

Avatar slipped to No. 2 with $23.6 million, raising its domestic total to $630.1 million With a record $2.2 billion worldwide, Avatar has surpassed Titanic's $1.8 billion.

Ticket sales Friday through yesterday in the U.S. and Canada

1. Dear John, $32.4 million.

2. Avatar, $23.6 million.

3. From Paris With Love, $8.1 million.

4. Edge Of Darkness, $7 million.

5. The Tooth Fairy, $6.5 million.

6. When In Rome, $5.5 million.

7. The Book Of Eli, $4.8 million.

8. Crazy Heart, $3.7 million.

9. Legion, $3.4 million.

10. Sherlock Holmes, $2.6 million.