WATCHMEN was definitely the film to watch this weekend. Making its debut on 3,611 North American screens, the Warner Brothers superhero tale earned an estimated $55.65-million – more than the rest of the weekend Top Ten combined. Strong advance sales, a big opening night on Friday, and sold-out IMAX screenings had led some to expect that the film would post a record-breaking opening weekend for March. That failed to materialize, but the $55-million-plus debut is still impressive, making it the sixth highest R-rated opening ever. (The leader is still 2003’s THE MATRIX RELOADED.)
The only other fantasy film in the Top Ten was CORALINE. Buena Vista’s stop-motion film, from director Henry Selick, stayed steady at #7 with a $3.3-million weekend, raising its five-week total to $65.7-million.