“High School Musical 3: Senior Year”, a Disney production, grabs first place in the top of the weekend box office class with $42 million. The fifth part of the horror sequel by Lionsgate, “Saw 5” is placed second, with $30.5 million.

From last year, sales from the top 12 movies have raised up to $120.5 million, 41 percent more than the same weekend from 2007, when “Saw IV” led with a $31.8 million debut. The weekend’s other new release, the police saga “Pride and Glory”, with Edward Norton and Colin Farrell, opened weakly with $6.3 million to come fifth in the top.

“High School Musical 3: Senior Year 3” continued the story of Troy and Gabriella and played largely to the TV audience of young girls. Furthermore, the movie pulled in $40 million in 19 other countries where it has opened (among them being Great Britain, Germany and Spain). As for “Saw V”, it was the first movie in the sequel that failed to finish first since the original “Saw”, which debuted in third place in 2004.

Horror fans were simply outnumbered by young fans and their parents turning up to see how senior year played out for the “High School Musical” cast: Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale, Lucas Grabeel and Corbin Bleu. The plot of the new film brings the characters back to their fictional New Mexico high school, where Troy (Zac Efron) must decide between his song-and-dance dreams and pursuing a basketball scholarship.

The previous weekend’s first place, “Max Payne”, fell to third place with $7.6 million. Clint Eastwood’s “Changeling”, in limited release, got off to a start with $502,000. It will expand into nationwide release on Friday. Also in limited release, “Synecdoche, New York” brought $172,926. “Beverly Hills Chihuahua” came forth, with $6.9 million, while the top ends with “Quarantine”, which brought $2.6 million.