Kevin James’ ‘Mall Cop’ arrests the top spot at the box office

Sony’s new Kevin James comedy "Paul Blart Mall Cop" took the top spot in its opening weekend with an estimated $33.8 million.

The weekend saw strong ticket sales (up 31% from last year) and several films (including “Mall Cop,” “My Bloody Valentine 3-D,” and “Notorious”) had stronger sales than expectedThe performance of "Mall Cop" proved James can sell tickets as a film’s headline star. The movie was produced by Adam Sandler’s Happy Madison and cost an estimated $26 million to bring to the screen. Warner Bros.’ "Gran Torino" claimed the No. 2 spot at the weekend box office with an estimated $22.2 million. The film, which was directed by and stars Clint Eastwood, dropped 25% in its second weekend, but has earned an estimated $73.2 million since its release. Lionsgate’s 3-D horror flick "My Bloody Valentine 3-D" slashed its way to the No. 3 spot in its opening weekend - the widest 3-D release – with an estimated $21.9 million from 1,033 3-D theaters and 1,501 conventional theaters. “Valentine” was brought to the big screen for under $15 million, and is expected to earn a big payday for Lionsgate – which took a chance the 3-D audience would be there despite most 3-D releases being family or teen films like "Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert Tour" and “Journey to the Center of the Earth.”In Variety, Lionsgate prexy of distribution Steve Rothenberg stated: "This is the first time horror fans have gotten something in 3-D."20th Century Fox’s biopic on slain rapper Christopher Wallace, aka Notorious B.I.G., took the No. 4 spot with an estimated $21.5 million from 1,638 theaters. The film had the best per-location average ($13,126) of any film over the weekend and was the largest opening for a specialty film from 20th Century Fox. It was produced and marketed by Fox Searchlight. "Notorious" was brought to the big screen for under $20 million and features Jamal Woolard taking on the role of Wallace. The film’s performance proved it could reach a larger audience than its key demo, and that the rapper’s death still has an impact on the world.In Variety, senior vice president of domestic distribution for 20th Century Fox Chris Aronson stated: "He is a cultural icon that has touched a nerve and resonated with younger auds, proving the impact he’s had on the landscape." The family canine flick "Hotel for Dogs" took the No. 5 spot with an estimated $17.7 million. The film was released through Paramount and produced by DreamWorks. It is expected to have long legs at the box office, and get a boost from today’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday.The 20th Century Fox chick flick comedy “Bride Wars” claimed the No. 6 spot at the weekend box office. The Kate Hudson/Anne Hathaway film dropped 44% in its second weekend with an estimated $11.8 million. It has earned an estimated $37.6 million since its release.Universal/Rogue Picture’s horror film “The Unborn” scared its way to a No. 7 placing at the weekend box office with an estimated $9.8 million. The film has earned an estimated $33.1 million since its release.The Ed Zwick World War II drama "Defiance" from Paramount Vantage took the No. 8 spot at the weekend box office with an estimated $9.2 million. Fox’s Christmas hit "Marley and Me" showed it still has legs with a No. 9 placing at the weekend box office. The film earned an estimated $6.3 million during the weekend and has taken in an estimated $132.7 million since its release. Searchlight’s "Slumdog Millionaire" got a boost from its Golden Globe wins and took the No. 10 spot at the weekend box office with an estimated $5.9 million.