Despite the crystal-clear DVD bootlegs of "American Gangster" that have flooded the streets of major cities in the past two weeks, enough people actually paid for a ticket to give it a No. 1 ranking at the weekend box office.
The film, starring Denzel Washington as New York drug kingpin Frank Lucas, took in $46.3 million to top Jerry Seinfeld's family cartoon "Bee Movie," which earned $39.1 million to place second.
The two pictures gave a much-needed sales jolt to a lack-luster autumn at the box office. After six-straight weekends of declining revenues, overall business rose, with the top-12 movies taking in $127.2 million, up 12 percent from the same weekend last year, when "Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan" was No. 1 with $26.5 million.
(EUR film critic Kam Williams isn't impressed with 'Gangster.' Read his review here.)
"American Gangster" was the biggest opening ever for the film's two stars. Crowe's previous best was $34.8 million for "Gladiator," also directed by Scott, while Washington's was $29 million for "Inside Man."
"These are two great actors telling this true story of Frank Lucas," said Nikki Rocco, head of distribution at Universal. "You couldn't have picked a better cast."
The following are estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Media By Numbers LLC. Final figures will be released later today.
1. "American Gangster," $46.3 million.
2. "Bee Movie," $39.1 million.
3. "Saw IV," $11 million.
4. "Dan in Real Life," $8.1 million.
5. "30 Days of Night," $4 million.
6. "The Game Plan," $3.85 million.
7. "Martian Child," $3.65 million.
8. "Michael Clayton," $2.9 million.
9. "Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married?", $2.7 million.
10. "Gone Baby Gone," $2.4 million
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