‘Oz’ conjures up more N. America box office magic
This file film image provided by Disney Enterprises shows James Franco, as Oz, left, and the character Finley, voiced by Zach Braff, in a scene from “Oz the Great and Powerful.” AP PHOTO/DISNEY ENTERPRISES
LOS ANGELES – Big-budget 3D fantasy adventure flick “Oz the Great and Powerful” topped the North American box office for a second straight weekend, earning $41.3 million, industry figures showed Monday.
Starring James Franco as a circus magician who ends up on the Yellow Brick Road, “The Wizard of Oz” prequel was well ahead of its rivals, said box office tracker Exhibitor Relations.
Second place went to “The Call,” which debuted with $17.1 million in sales. The thriller stars silver screen siren Halle Berry as a 911 operator trying to rescue a young girl who has been abducted.
In third was a comedy, “The Incredible Burt Wonderstone,” starring Steve Carell as a washed up magician who joins forces with street performer Jim Carrey. It earned $10.2 million in its first weekend in theaters.
Fourth place went to “Jack the Giant Slayer,” which stars Nicholas Hoult in the title role as a young farmhand battling giants to save a princess. It brought in $6.3 million in its third week.
“Identity Thief,” a comedy starring Melissa McCarthy and Jason Bateman, was fifth, with $4.4 million in receipts.
Action film “Snitch,” starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson came in sixth place with $3.5 million, ahead of “21 & Over,” about three carousing college students celebrating a birthday milestone. It earned $2.7 million.
“Silver Linings Playbook,” for which Jennifer Lawrence won an Academy Award for best actress, came in eighth place with just over $2.5 million, with the romantic drama displaying staying power going into its 18th week in theaters.
“Safe Haven,” another romantic drama, took ninth spot, earning just under $2.5 million in its fifth week on release.
Rounding out the top 10 was animated kids movie “Escape from Planet Earth,” which earned $2.3 million.
