A wacky wily pirate made cinematic Memorial Day weekend history last year with the highest-grossing movie ever, and the whip-handling adventure-seeking hero archeologist Indiana Jones is arriving close to that very peak.

“Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End,” the third installment starring beloved pirate captain Jack Sparrow, portrayed by Johnny Depp, grossed $153 million for a five-day period last year during Memorial Day weekend, ensuring itself a historical place in the pantheon of huge-grossing films.

Another beloved hero transcended the barrier of time this weekend. Hollywood star Harrison Ford donned the fedora hat and leather whip of professor/archeologist adventurer Indiana Jones once more after a 19-year break, and to great success.

After a friendly welcome at the Cannes Film Festival, “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” had a worldwide release that brings good news to Paramount Pictures, director Steven Spielberg and producer George Lucas.

The domestic box office registered an estimated $101 million from Friday to Sunday. Counting Thursday’s screenings and Monday’s, Paramount expects approximately $151 million in ticket sales.

The movie opened in the US on Thursday in 4,260 theaters and earned approximately $56 million during the first two days.

“The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” is bound to become the second-largest-grossing Memorial Day weekend movie ever, a small distance away from “At World’s End.” Its three predecessors took in $1.2 billion worldwide.

While Paul Dergarabedian, president of tracking firm Media By Numbers LLC, remarked that the film “did incredibly well” for a significant 19-year lapse, it is hardly an unexpected success.

“The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” brought along old friends and new. Karen Allen returned as Marion Ravenwood, Indy’s love interest in “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” while Cate Blanchett made a stylish, crisp appearance as the villainous Colonel Professor Irina Spalko.

Young actor Shia LaBeouf costars as Indy’s sidekick, the rebellious Mutt Williams, while Ray Winstone and John Hurt turn up as companions in time of hardship.

Needless to say “The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” was No. 1 at the box office this weekend, followed at No. 2 by Disney’s “The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian,” with $23 million. This brings its two-week total to $91.1 million.

Marvel Studios’ “Iron Man,” starring Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow and Jeff Bridges, is still ranking high on the box office chart, with earnings worth another $20.1 million. The film’s domestic total is $252.3 million. Talk about a sequel had already started when the film was released and a sequel is now set for release in 2010.

Twentieth Century Fox comedy “What Happens in Vegas,” starring Ashton Kutcher and Cameron Diaz, grossed another $9 million in its third week, bringing its total to $54.2 million.

Anime-inspired “Speed Racer” earned $4 million in ticket sales, placing fifth, while romantic comedy “Made of Honor” took in $3.4 million, at No. 6. Motherhood comedy “Baby Mama,” starring Saturday Night Live stars Tina Fey and Amy Poehler raked in $3.3 million, followed at No. 8 by raunchy comedy “Forgetting Sarah Marshall,” with $1.7 million.

Rounding up the top ten are “Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay,” with $900,000, and “The Visitor,” with $800,000.