Madagascar roars to cinema glory

Madagascar 2: Escape 2 Africa follows the animals in the African savannah

Animated comedy Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa galloped to the top of the North American box office chart, according to early studio estimates.

The film, which features the voice of Ben Stiller as Alex the Lion, and Chris Rock as Marty the zebra, earned $63.5m (�40.5m) in its opening weekend.

The sequel to 2005's Madagascar follows the former occupants of a New York City zoo in the African savannah.

Comedy film Role Models opened at number two, taking $19.3m (�12.3m).

After two weeks at number one in the chart, High School Musical 3: Senior Year slipped to number three with $9.3m (�5.9m) taking its total haul to $75.7m (�48.1m).

Clint Eastwood's drama Changeling, featuring Angelina Jolie as a mother desperate to find her missing son, remained in fourth place while comedy Zack and Miri Make a Porno fell three places to five.

NORTH AMERICA BOX OFFICE 1. Madagascar 2: Escape 2 Africa - $63.m 2. Role Models - $19.3m 3. High School Musical 3: Senior Year - $9.3m 4. Changeling - $7.2m 5. Zack and Miri Make a Porno - $6.5m Source: Media By Numbers

Comedy Soul Men, starring Samuel L Jackson and the late Bernie Mac as former soul singers reunited on a road trip for one last concert, opened at number six with $5.6m (�3.6m).

The film also features soul icon Isaac Hayes who died the day after Mac in August.

Horror films Saw V and The Haunting of Molly Hartley took the seventh and eighth spots while drama The Secret Life of Bees and action film Eagle Eye completed the top 10.

The opening for Madagascar 2: Escape 2 Africa easily surpassed the $47.2m (�30m) debut for Madagascar.

A DreamWorks official said it was too early to tell if there would be a third film in the series but that the studio was "definitely encouraged" by the new movie's opening success.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version