HOLLYWOOD - Mutants proved victorious as the highly anticipated sci-fi sequel X2: X-Men United took in a mind-bending $85.8 million* at the box office this weekend.X2's meaty box office take makes it the fourth biggest opener of all time, behind commanding champs Spider-Man, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
The comic book turned mega-movie franchise debuted Friday in 93 countries and territories around the world simultaneously, making it the broadest opening ever for a movie, a record that previously belonged to Star Wars: Episode II--Attack of the Clones.
This weekend's solid box office take, however, was still down more than seven percent from this time last year, which benefited from the opening of another Marvel comic book adaptation, Spider-Man.
THE TOP TEN
Twentieth Century Fox's comic book sequel X2: X-Men United opened with an ESTIMATED $85.8 million at 3,741 theaters, making its $22,948 per theater average the highest of any film playing this weekend.
X2 beat the first film in the series, X-Men, which took in $54.5 million when it opened in July 2000 and went on to earn $157.3 million domestically and more than $290 million worldwide.
The PG-13 rated sequel takes up where the original film left off, with Prof. Xavier still teaching gifted young mutants and the metal-controlling villain Magneto locked up in a plastic prison as the mutants continue their struggle against a society that fears and distrusts them.
Directed by Bryan Singer, it stars Patrick Stewart, Hugh Jackman, Ian McKellen, Halle Berry, Famke Janssen and more.
Buena Vista's PG rated The Lizzie McGuire Movie opened in second place with a strong $17 million at 2,825 theaters and was the only pic that went unfazed by the X2 juggernaut. Its per theater average was a strong $6,018.
The film is based on The Disney Channel's Lizzie McGuire, a TV comedy series about a 13-year-old girl in junior high. Here, Lizzie celebrates her graduation from junior high by going on a class trip to Rome.
Directed by Jim Fall, it stars Hilary Duff, Adam Lamberg and Yani Gellman.
Sony Pictures' R-rated psychological thriller Identity, which debuted at the top of the box office last week, came in third with an ESTIMATED $9.5 million (-41%) at 2,733 theaters (unchanged, $3,476 per theater). Its cume is approximately $30.2 million.
Directed by James Mangold, it stars John Cusack, Ray Liotta, Amanda Peet, Rebecca DeMornay and Alfred Molina.
Continuing its mainstay in the Top Five, Sony Pictures' PG-13 rated comedy Anger Management fell two notches to No. 4 in its fourth week with an ESTIMATED $8.5 million (-43%) at 3,471 theaters (-185 theaters, $2,449 per theater). Its cume is approximately $115.4 million.
Directed by Peter Segal, it stars Adam Sandler, Jack Nicholson, Marisa Tomei and John Turturro.
Buena Vista's PG rated teen comedy Holes fell from third to fifth place in its third week with an ESTIMATED $6.5 million (-48%) at 2,402 theaters (+53 theaters, $2,706 per theater). Its cume is approximately $45 million.
Directed by Andrew Davis, it stars Rick Fox, Sigourney Weaver, Jon Voight, Tim Blake Nelson and Shia LeBeouf.
*Box office estimates provided by Exhibitor Relations, Inc.