Watchmen opens to $55.7 million

According to Box Office Mojo, “Watchmen” made $55.7 million in its opening weekend.  That’s behind the blistering pace of director Zack Snyder’s previous film, “300,” but double the openings of two previous  adaptations of Alan Moore graphic novels, “League of Extraordinary Gentlemen” and “V for Vendetta.”

WEEKEND TOP 5 STUDIO ESTIMATES, MARCH 6-8, 2009

Rank. Movie Title (Distributor)
Weekend Gross | Theaters | Total Gross | Week #

1. Watchmen (Warner Bros.)
$55.7 million | 3,611 | $55.7 million | 1

2. Tyler Perry’s Madea Goes to Jail (Lionsgate)
$8.8 million | 2,151 | $76.5 million | 3

3. Taken (Fox)
$7.5 million | 3,016 | $118.0 million | 6

4. Slumdog Millionaire (Fox Searchlight)
$6.9 million | 2,890 | $125.4 million | 17

5. Paul Blart: Mall Cop (Sony / Columbia)
$4.2 million | 2,558 | $133.6 million | 8

Source: Box Office Mojo
(www.boxofficemojo.com)