The live action remake of animated classic "Cinderella" was the perfect fit in North American movie theaters, topping the list of weekend ticket sales announced Monday.
The Disney movie, featuring Lily James as enchanted princess Ella and Cate Blanchett as her cruel stepmother, took in $67.9 million.
Part of the draw for the well-received film was an animated short "Frozen Fever" that was shown with the film, a five minute add-on based on Disney princess smash-hit "Frozen."
Action flick "Run All Night," featuring grizzled tough-guy Liam Neeson playing a hit man going up against the mob, took second on the charts hauling in $11 million in its debut weekend.
British spy comedy "Kingsman: The Secret Service," dropped in sales but moved up a spot in its fourth week in theaters taking in $6.2 million for the third box office spot.
"Focus," a con-artist flick featuring Will Smith as a crook who takes on a protege played by Margot Robbie had just over $5.7 million in estimated ticket sales for the fourth spot on the chart.
Artificial intelligence thriller "Chappie" had a long fall from its top-spot debut last week, taking in $5.7 million for fifth place despite a $13.3 million showing last week.
Sequel "The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel" featuring Judi Dench, Maggie Smith and Richard Gere, pulled in just under $5.7 million for the sixth spot.
"The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water," remained a presence on the box office charts, taking in $4 million in ticket sales in its fifth week for a total of $154.6 million.
Teen comedy "The Duff" took eighth spot with $3.9 million, followed by Kevin Costner sport drama "McFarland, USA," in ninth with $3.6 million in sales.
Rounding out the top 10 was racy bondage flick "Fifty Shades of Grey," which locked up a creditable $2.9 million in its fifth week in theaters.
Source: AFP