National Treasure: Book of Secrets topped the North American box office this past three-day weekend with an estimated US$45.5 million.
The Jon Turteltaub-directed sequel to the 2004 smash hit National Treasure opened at 3,832 theatres on Friday, beating the opening weekend gross of its predecessor by $10 million. Starring Nicolas Cage, Ed Harris and Helen Mirren, the film follows the adventures of treasure hunter Benjamin Franklin Gates, who travels the world to uncover the truth behind the assassination of Abraham Lincoln.
Last week's box office winner I Am Legend dropped to No. 2, collecting $34.2 million from ticket sales at 3,620 locations. The post-apocalyptic thriller directed by Francis Lawrence and starring Will Smith lifted its cumulative gross to $137.5 million after an impressive two-week run. Based on a novel by Richard Matheson, the film focuses on the sole survivor of a deadly virus and his quest to find a cure.
Down from No. 2 to No. 3, Alvin and the Chipmunks earned $29 million, reaching a total of $84.9 million after two weeks. The Tim Hill-directed animated film is based on a popular 1980s cartoon series about a group of singing chipmunks who help a failing songwriter become famous.
New entry Charlie Wilson's War landed at No.4, taking home $9.6 million from 2,575 sites. Directed by Mike Nichols, the film follows Congressman Charlie Wilson as he secretly helps Afghanistan rise against the Soviet Union. Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts and Philip Seymour Hoffman star.
Opening at only 1,249 theatres nationwide, Tim Burton's dark musical Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street attracted large crowds, picking up $9.4 million. Based on Stephen Sondheim's Broadway show, and starring Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter and Alan Rickman, Sweeney Todd tells the story of a barber who seeks bloody revenge against the people who destroyed his family.
Trashed by critics, Richard LaGravenese's romantic comedy P.S. I Love You opened at 2,454 theatres on Friday, failing to harmonize with cinemagoers as it collected a mere $6.5 million. The plot centers on a widow who discovers 10 messages her late husband left her before his death. Hilary Swank, Gerard Butler and Lisa Kudrow star.
Walt Disney's hit fairy-tale Enchanted slipped to No. 7 this week, pulling $4.1 million from 2,752 locations. The Kevin Lima-directed comedy starring Amy Adams lifted its cumulative gross to $98.3 million after a successful five-week run.
New entry Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story delivered an unexpectedly weak performance, debuting at No. 8 and collecting $4 million from 2,650 locations. Directed by Jake Kasdan and written and produced by Judd Apatow, this comedy about the life of singer Dewey Cox — despite overall positive reviews — is the first Apatow production in the last couple of years to fail at the box office.
New Line Cinema's The Golden Compass tumbled to No. 9 this weekend, earning $3.4 million and reaching a total haul of $48.4 million after three weeks in release. While Chris Weitz's $180-million film is thriving overseas, its box office results in North America have been relatively weak.
Jason Reitman's indie comedy Juno rounded out the top ten, expanding to 297 theatres and earning $3.4 million. The film has grossed $6.3 million so far and will add more theatres nationwide next week.
Source: Box Office Mojo (www.boxofficemojo.com)