‘Puss in Boots’ has purrfect weekend in US, Canada

LOS ANGELES  – Animated kids’ romp “Puss in Boots” was purring plenty after pulling in $33 million and holding onto the top spot at the North American box office at the weekend, industry data showed Monday.

With the voice work of Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek, Zach Galifianakis and Billy Bob Thornton, the flick took in $33.04 million in three days adding up to a total take of $75.5 million to date, monitor Exhibitor Relations reported.

“Tower Heist,” with an all-star cast led by Eddie Murphy, had a strong opening in the number two spot with a $25.08 million take in three days.

It was trailed by another solid premiere: “A Very Harold and Kumar 3D Christmas.” The comedy sequel brought in $13.06 million on its first weekend out.

It knocked “Paranormal Activity 3” down to the number four spot with an $8.5 million take, and now an impressive $95.3 million overall haul.

Futuristic thriller “In Time” starring Justin Timberlake and Amanda Seyfried edged down to fifth place, earning $7.7 million in ticket sales between Friday and Sunday.

A remake of the hit 1980s dance romp “Footloose” slipped to the sixth spot, with a haul of $4.55 million, putting it ahead of the boxing robots of “Real Steel” in seventh, with the Disney hit for children starring Hugh Jackman taking in $3.4 million.

“The Rum Diary,” starring Johnny Depp as a journalist facing an ethical conundrum in Puerto Rico, trailed in eighth place with $2.99 million.

Political thriller “The Ides of March,” starring George Clooney and Ryan Gosling, earned $2.0 million in ninth place.

It was just ahead of “Moneyball,” a sports drama starring Brad Pitt as a baseball coach, in the 10th spot, taking in $1.9 million.