“Horton” hears a hit at movie box office

Audiences this weekend proved they still love G-rated films, as the animated “Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hears a Who!” took the Number One spot at the box office for the weekend ending March 16 with an estimated draw of $45.1 million, entertainment sources reported today. The opening was the fifth-largest G-rated opening ever; “Finding Nemo” holds that top distinction, with an opening weekend of $70.2 million in 2003, according to the New York Times. “Horton,” is voiced by Jim Carrey, and the role has given the actor his biggest box office opening in almost five years. The film marks Carrey’s second collaboration with Dr. Seuss: he played the lead character in the “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” in 2000.

Last weekend’s box-office winner, Warner Bros.’ “10,000 BC,” dropped to No. 2 with $16.4 million. The prehistoric action flick has earned $61.2 million over the last 10 days. Summit Entertainment’s “Never Back Down,” an extreme-fighting film, opened at No. 3. with $8.6 million. “College Road Trip,” a Walt Disney Pictures comedy starring Martin Lawrence, finished in fourth place with $7.9 million and “Vantage Point,” a thriller from Sony, completed the Top 5 with $5.4 million.

Hollywood’s revenues rose for the first time after four weekends of declining business. Overall receipts came in at $127 million, up 8.5 percent from the same weekend last year, according to the tracking firm Media by Numbers. All numbers are estimates until actual weekend grosses can be determined.

Top five movies* for the weekend ending March 16, 2008:

1. Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who! $45.1
2. 10,000 B.C. $16.4
3. Never Back Down $8.6
4. College Road Trip $7.8
5. Vantage Point $5.4

*Totals in millions