HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — James Cameron’s sci-fi epic Avatar soared to the top of the weekend box office with a $73 million debut, according to studio estimates released Sunday.
The picture also broke the record for biggest 3-D opening, a mark set last summer by Up.
Avatar easily outdistanced Disney’s The Princess and the Frog, which finished second at $12.2 million.
Sandra Bullock’s The Blind Side slipped to No. 3 at $10 million.
Sarah Jessica Parker and Hugh Grant’s Did You Hear About the Morgans? had a rather weak debut, finishing fourth at $7 million. The Twilight Saga New Moon followed just behind at $4.4 million to round out the weekend top five.
Also see: Avatar cast interviews and behind the scenes video.
Weekend Box Office
1. “Avatar,” $73 million
2. “The Princess and the Frog,” $12.2 million
3. “The Blind Side,” $10 million
4. “Did You Hear About the Morgans?”, $7 million
5. “The Twilight Saga” New Moon,” $4.4 million
6. “Invictus,” $4.2 million
7. “Disney’s a Christmas Carol,” $3.4 million
8. “Up in the Air,” $3.1 million
9. “Brothers,” $2.6 million
10. “Old Dogs,” $2.3 million
