Now that it’s October, moviegoers can expect to start seeing better films appear in theaters as the studios bring out their Academy Awards hopefuls. The run of good films didn’t begin this weekend, however, as the box office champion was Beverly Hills Chihuahua. This poorly rated family film starring the voice talents of Drew Barrymore, Andy Garcia, George Lopez, and others earned a healthy $29 million to become the box office champion, knocking last weekend’s top movie, Eagle Eye, off its perch. Eagle Eye slipped to No. 2 with $17.7 million in earnings.
The teen comedy Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist, starring Michael Cera and Kat Dennings, debuted at No. 3 with a $12 million take, while the Ed Harris film Appaloosa earned $5.01 million after expanding to more theaters nationwide.
Other new films cracking the list this week include An American Carol with $3.81 million (9th place) and Bill Maher’s Religulous with $3.5 million (10th place).
Here’s the complete top 10 at the box office for the weekend ending 10/5/08:
- Beverly Hills Chihuahua, $29 million
- Eagle Eye, $17.7 million
- Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist, $12 million
- Nights in Rodanthe, $7.36 million
- Appaloosa, $5.01 million
- Lakeview Terrace, $4.5 million
- Burn After Reading, $4.08 million
- Fireproof, $4.07 million
- An American Carol, $3.81 million
- Religulous, $3.5 million