Not even a dragon or the world’s most-beloved spider could deny Will Smith another first-place finish at the box office.
Sony’s father-son drama The Pursuit of Happyness, starring Smith and his own son, Jaden Christopher Syre Smith, debuted as the No. 1 movie with $27 million, according to studio estimates Sunday.
Smith’s latest topped 20th Century Fox’s dragon fantasy Eragon, which opened in second place with $23.45 million, and Paramount’s children’s tale Charlotte’s Web, which premiered a distant third with $12 million.
The story of a struggling dad who becomes homeless along with his young son, Pursuit of Happyness joins a long line of No. 1 openings for Smith, including the action tales Independence Day and I, Robot.
“Audiences around the world love him,” said Rory Bruer, head of distribution at Sony, whose past hits with Smith include the Men in Black flicks and last year’s romantic comedy Hitch.
“Everyone who sees Will Smith or meets Will Smith feels like he could be their best friend,” Bruer said. “He has that type of charisma that resonates throughout whatever room he’s in.”
Ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Media By Numbers LLC are:
1. The Pursuit of Happyness, $27 million.
2. Eragon, $23.45 million.
3. Charlotte’s Web, $12 million.
4. Happy Feet, $8.5 million.
5. The Holiday, $8.2 million.
6. Apocalypto, $7.7 million.
7. Blood Diamond, $6.3 million.
8. Casino Royale, $5.7 million.
9. The Nativity Story, $4.7 million.
10. Unaccompanied Minors, $3.7 million.
