'Meatballs' Tops US Weekend B-O

SEPT 21, 2009 - Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs topped the US weekend box-office grossing an estimated US$30.1 million. Sony's 3D animated family comedy was adapted from the popular 1978 children's book by Judi and Ron Barrett. Despite schools being back in session, the film still was able to draw kids and their parents to the multiplexes. The movie is scheduled to open in Malaysia on Oct 15.

The Informant! came in second with US$10.5 million, according to studio estimates. That was slightly better than expected for the Warner Bros. comedy, which stars Matt Damon as a whistle blower. Last week's topper, Tyler Perry's I Can Do Bad All By Myself, saw a 57 percent drop for Lionsgate. It still earned US$10 million, at third place.

Jennifer Aniston's Love Happens (Universal) came in at No 4 with US$8.5 million, suggesting that audiences may be tiring of the actress in romantic comedies. It's her third film this year. Coming in a distant fifth was Jennifer's Body, the R-rated horror film written by Diablo Cody, the scribe of Juno fame. It earned just US$6.8 million for 20th Century Fox. The film is viewed as a test of its star, Megan Fox, to headline a movie.

Here is the rest of the Top 5 US B-O estimate grosses for Sept 11-13, 2009 weekend, in terms of rank, Movie name, Weekend takings in USD, (Cumulative gross, USD) and week on chart, courtesy of Boxofficemojo.

1. Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs $30.1 million ($30.1 million) 1

2. The Informant! $10.5 million ($10.5 million) 1

3. I Can Do Bad All By Myself $10.1 million ($37.9 million) 2

4. Love Happens $8.5 million ($8.5 million) 1

5. Jennifer's Body $6.8 million ($6.8 million) 1

(Studio estimated figures courtesy of Boxofficemojo.com).