Beverly Hills Chihuahua clung to the top spot at the North American box office this weekend, with US$17.5 million in ticket sales, according to studio estimates Sunday.
Walt Disney's adventure tale outran its competition by gaining momentum Saturday, lifting its domestic total to $52.5 million after two weeks in release. Directed by Raja Gosnell, the story centers on a spoiled chihuahua ending up astray in Mexico.
Debuting in second place with $14.2 million was Screen Gems' horror remake Quarantine, which follows a group of people struggling to survive in a quarantined building infested with murderously rabid tenants.
Following closely at No. 3 was Ridley Scott's political thriller Body of Lies, which collected $13.1 million at 2,710 locations. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Russell Crowe, the film follows two CIA agents attempting to hunt down an international terrorist.
This weekend's remaining two wide releases failed to jump to the top half of the box office chart. Gary Fleder's sports drama The Express ranked sixth with $4.7 million, while Gil Kenan's City of Ember opened at No. 10 with only $3.2 million.
Meanwhile, D. J. Caruso's action thriller Eagle Eye dropped to No. 4, collecting $11 million and reaching a total of $70.5 million after a strong three-week run. At No. 5, Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist picked up $6.5 million, bringing its cumulative gross to $20.8 million.
George C. Wolfe's romantic drama Nights in Rodanthe, starring Richard Gere and Diane Lane, dropped to seventh place, pulling in $4.6 million and lifting its total haul to $32.3 million. Based on a novel by Nicholas Sparks, the film centers on two single parents who fall in love at a beachside inn.
At No. 8, Appaloosa brought its domestic total to $10.8 million after weekend earnings of $3.3 million. Directed by Ed Harris, the Western revolves around two gunmen hired to police a small town.
Paramount Vantage's period drama The Duchess, starring Keira Knightley, finished ninth, picking up $3.3 million to reach a cumulative total to $5.6 million after four weeks in limited release.
Source: Box Office Mojo (www.boxofficemojo.com)
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