Despite the release of the political thriller “Body of Lies” with box office champs Leonardo DiCaprio and Russell Crowe and the football flick “The Express” with Dennis Quaid, the weekend’s No. 1 spot went to Disney’s “Beverly Hills Chihuahua.
The family film held the top spot for the second weekend, and brought in an estimated in a row with an estimated $17.5 million. Disney is crediting the film’s family fun feel for its success.
In Variety, Disney prexy of distribution Chuck Viane stated: “I think people are looking for lighter fare. They want to sit back, be entertained and laugh.”
Sony Screen Gems horror flick “Quarantine” scared its way to the No. 2 spot at the weekend box office with an estimated $14.2 million.
Warner Bros.’ “Body of Lies” from director Ridley Scott took the No. 3 spot with an estimated $13.1 million – which fell below what many expected based on the film’s star power. The film follows a CIA agent taking on terrorists in the Middle East.
Warner Bros. has reportedly chucked some of the bad showing up to the current economic crisis and the debate over the war in Iraq.
In Variety, Warners prexy of distribution Dan Fellman stated: “I think the state of affairs in our country are such that it was a tough weekend for a movie about terrorism and geopolitics.”
The R-rated film is based on the novel by journalist David Ignatius and was adapted by “The Departed” writer William Monahan.
DreamWorks/Paramount thriller "Eagle Eye" took the No. 4 spot at the weekend box office with an estimated $11 million. The film features a reunion with Shia LaBeouf’ and “Disturbia” director D.J. Caruso. It cost an estimated $80 million to produce.
Sony’s "Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist" continued to draw at the box office with a No. 5 placing and an estimated $6.5 million. The film stars Michael Cera and Kat Dennings, and cost an estimated $13 million to bring to the screen, according to Sony.
Universal’s “The Express” chronicles the life of the first African-American college football player to win the Heisman Trophy, and managed to secure the No. 6 spot at the weekend box office. It earned an estimated $4.7 million.
Universal reportedly blamed the weak showing for “The Express” (which tells the story of Ernie Davis) on the amount of films currently at the big screen. The film cost an estimated $38 million to produce.
Warners/Village Roadshow romance flick "Nights in Rodanthe" continued to find love at the big screen with an estimated $4.6 million and a No. 7 placing at the weekend box office. The film stars Diane Lane and Richard Gere, and is the latest Nicholas Sparks novel to make it to the screen.
Warner Bros./New Line’s western tale “Appaloosa” earned an estimated $3.34 million from 1,290 theaters. The film took the No. 8 spot at the weekend box office and has earned $10.9 million in its four weeks of release.
Keira Knightley’s period piece “The Duchess” expanded its run and made it to the No. 9 spot at the weekend box office. The film earned an estimated $3.32 million.
The Fox Walden’s family film “City of Ember” opened at the No. 10 spot at the weekend box office with an estimated $3.2 million. The film was fully financed by Walden with Fox handling distribution
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