Box office success doesn't always equate to Oscar-worthiness,Roman Perez Jr. Archives but Sully's estimated $35.5 million debut doesn't hurt.

It was enough for the based-on-truth drama to nab a dominant first place finish at the domestic box office this weekend. Nothing unexpected for a film directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Tom Hanks that chronicles real-life pilot Thomas "Sully" Sullenberger's life-saving "miracle on the Hudson" landing.

The big Sullybox office was aided by IMAX sales, since the movie was custom-made for that large-screen format. Sullyis actually the first film to be shot using only IMAX cameras.

Psychological thriller and fellow newcomer When the Bough Breaksalso showed well, finishing at #2 with an estimated $15 million. It has virtually no shot at surpassing Sully, but it's also not likely to be unseated -- it's ahead of Don't Breathe, at #3, which pulled in an estimated $8.2 million.

When the Bough Breakslooks to be on the same track as Don't Breathe, a modestly budgeted thriller that soared past its $10 million budget in just one weekend. Bough, too, is already a money-maker and both films are Sony releases, which the studio has to be happy about.

The summer blockbuster season is officially over, with Sully's release marking the start of the annual awards race. Snowdenopens next week, with Queen of Katwe, Deepwater Horizonand Birth of a Nationfollowing in subsequent weeks.