New 'Mission: Impossible' dominates the weekend box office

Tom Cruise proves he's still a box office draw as his latest movie, "Mission: Impossible: Rogue Nation," tops the weekend with an estimated $56 million, according to Deadline.

That's the second-highest opening weekend for a film in the "M: I" franchise, just behind "Mission: Impossible II" ($57.8 million).

The $56 million figure tops projections late last week of the film grossing around $40 million for the weekend. This was due not only to positive critical reaction for "Rogue Nation," with an above 90% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, but the film also followed a strong $20 million take on Friday (which includes $4 million for Thursday evening screenings), according to Box Office Mojo, with an impressive $19.9 million on Saturday, according to Deadline.

The hot weekend temperatures proved to be a success for the other big release out this weekend, as people also flocked to their air conditioned-friendly multiplexes to see "Vacation."

The reboot of the classic Chevy Chase-starring "Nation Lampoon's Vacation" franchise, with Ed Helms now in the lead, took in $14.85 million over the weekend (totaling $21.17 million for it's five-day total), according to BoxOffice.com.