"Fast & Furious" peels out big for a good start to April at the box office

"Fast & Furious"'s opening this weekend left its box office competition in the dust, giving Vin Diesel's return to the franchise the best opening weekend so far this year at an estimated $72.5 million, grabbing the top spot. "Fast & Furious" also burned rubber to a record for April debuts, easily passing the previous best of $42.2 million set in 2003 by "Anger Management".

"Fast & Furious" topped last weekend's $59.3 million debut for "Monsters vs. Aliens", which took second place with $33.5 million, raising its 10-day estimated total to $105.7 million. Taking third this weekend was "The Haunting In Connecticut", bringing in a little over $9.5 million, bring its 10-day estimated total close to $106 million.

Hanging on for its third week taking the #4 spot this weekend was the Nicolas Cage vehicle "Knowing" at a little over $8 million, bringing it to a 17-day total of a little over $58 million. Rounding out the top five in its third week was "I Love You Man" with a strong 3rd weekend showing of just a little under $8 million, earning it a little over $49 million in its 17-day run so far.

The other new wide release this weekend, "Adventureland", bubbled under the top five, making an unimpressive estimated $6 million.

This week's Top Ten (Sunday Estimates):

1. "Fast & Furious," $72.5 million.
2. "Monsters vs. Aliens," $33.5 million.
3. "The Haunting in Connecticut," $9.6 million.
4. "Knowing," $8.1 million.
5. "I Love You, Man," $7.9 million.
6. "Adventureland," $6 million.
7. "Duplicity," $4.3 million.
8. "Race to Witch Mountain," $3.4 million.
9. "12 Rounds," $2.3 million.
10. "Sunshine Cleaning," $1.9 million.

My score this week : 6 out of 10 for 60%. I must be slipping...