Buena Vista/Touchstone and Spyglass Entertainment's PG-13 rated adventure The Count of Monte Cristo arrived in sixth place to a promising ESTIMATED $11.5 million at 2,237 theaters ($5,729 per theater).
Directed by Kevin Reynolds, it stars Jim Caviezel, Guy Pearce and Richard Harris.
"The Count is doing very well," Buena Vista Distribution president Chuck Viane said Sunday morning. "I just (saw) the CinemaScores and in all six (demographic) quadrants we were A-plus and with our own college network (of exit polls) we scored an excellent, which is great. We're so, so pleased with that. The numbers are wonderful and we'll expand the run. We'll add another couple hundred (theaters) this week. Because the picture's so strong, we're going to chase its success."
New Line Cinema's PG-13 rated drama I Am Sam went wide in its fifth week, placing seventh with a terrific ESTIMATED $8.33 million at 1,268 theaters (+1,287 theaters; $6,565 per theater). Its cume is approximately $8.5 million.
Sam's average per theater was the highest for any film playing in wide release this weekend.
Directed by Jessie Nelson, it stars Sean Penn and Michelle Pfeiffer.
"I think Sam's expansion's terrific," New Line distribution president David Tuckerman said Sunday morning. "We're really thrilled. $6,665 for per screen average is great."
In the case of Sam, the film is not being driven by critics honors and other awards. "It's another one of those movies that the public really likes," Tuckerman said. "Despite the fact that we got mixed reviews, the public really likes it. It's like Life As a House, once the public gets to see it they really like the film."
New Line Cinema's PG-13 rated epic The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring fell five slots to eighth place in its sixth week with a slower ESTIMATED $8.03 million (-36%) at 2,703 theaters (-563 theaters; $2,969 per theater). Its cume is approximately $258.7 million, heading for $300 million or more in domestic theaters.
Directed by Peter Jackson, Rings' ensemble cast is led by Elijah Wood and Ian McKellen.
20th Century Fox's PG-13 rated parody of martial arts films Kung Pow: Enter the Fist entered the marketplace in ninth place with a dull ESTIMATED $7.27 million at 2,476 theaters ($2,936 per theater).
Steve Oedekerk, who wrote and directed, also stars in the film.
"We're pretty pleased with that number actually," Fox distribution president Bruce Snyder said Sunday morning. "The cost is low and we'll be in profit by the end of the week."