Boy wizard remains on top
LOS ANGELES - The boy wizard held off an interstellar fugitive, robotic wives and a talking cat to maintain his sway at movie theaters.
"Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" was the top movie for a second weekend, taking in $35.1 million to lift its 10-day total to $158.1 million, according to studio estimates Sunday.
"Shrek 2" held up well in its fourth weekend, slipping from second to third place with $24 million but pushing its domestic haul to $354 million. That made it the top-grossing animated movie ever, passing the $339.7 million gross of "Finding Nemo."
The sci-fi saga "The Chronicles of Riddick," with Vin Diesel returning as the escaped killer turned anti-hero from 2000's "Pitch Black," debuted at No. 2 with $24.6 million.
Nicole Kidman's "The Stepford Wives," a black comedy remake of the 1970s thriller about a town where men replace their mates with Barbie doll robots, opened in fourth place with $22.2 million.
"Garfield: The Movie," featuring Bill Murray as mouthpiece for the comic strip fat cat, premiered at No. 5 with $21.7 million.
Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at North American theaters, according to Exhibitor Relations Co. Inc. Final figures will be released Monday.
1. "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban," $35.1 million.
2. "The Chronicles of Riddick," $24.6 million.
3. "Shrek 2," $24 million.
4. "The Stepford Wives," $22.2 million.
5. "Garfield: The Movie," $21.7 million.
6. "The Day After Tomorrow," $14.55 million.
7. "Raising Helen," $3.8 million.
8. "Troy," $3.5 million.
9. "Saved!" $2.55 million.
10. "Mean Girls," $1.5 million.