'Monsters vs. Aliens' Scares Up Big Bucks at North American Box Office

Movie

Opened in theaters Friday, March 27, 'Monsters vs. Aliens' invades the North American Box Office by taking the top slot and becoming 2009 biggest opening so far.

March 30, 2009

AceShowbiz -

"Monsters vs. Aliens" has conquered the North American box office over the March 27 - 29 weekend. Collecting $59.3 million after three days of screening, the 3-D animation movie from directors Rob Letterman and Conrad Vernon has beaten out another newcomer "The Haunting in Connecticut" and taken the champion crown away from "Knowing".

The weekend bow pulled in by this DreamWorks Animation movie topped "Watchmen" first weekend earning of $55.2 million, marking it to become the year's biggest debut so far. The film has also landed itself on the third place for the best March opening ever, following behind "300" and "Ice Age: The Meltdown", and on the runner-up position for DreamWorks Animation film's best opening after "Kung Fu Panda".

The film voiced by Reese Witherspoon and Seth Rogen among others has also set a record for a 3-D opening. It earned a whopping $32.6 million of the $59.3 million bow from those 3-D locations and best over other 3-D films, including "My Bloody Valentine 3-D" and "Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience".

Editors' Pick

While "Monsters" bow met analysts' expectation, second-place "The Haunting in Connecticut" fared surprisingly well upon its opening weekend. Raking in $23 million, the horror thriller film marked the best premiere for Virginia Madsen as a leading actor. It also debuted in the top ten of supernatural horror movies, just behind of "The Amityville Horror".

Last week's champion "Knowing" fell two slots to the third position. With a 40.2|percent| decrease in sales, the Nicolas Cage-starrer film has collected $14.7 million to add to the total of $46.2 million. Meanwhile, rounding up the top five were "I Love You, Man", which took $12.7 million, and "Duplicity", which brought in $7.7 million.

Top Ten Movies at Weekend Box Office for March 27 - 29: