News / Entertainment
Eddie Murphy Silences Hannibal, Takes Box Office Top Spot with “Norbit”
Winning a Golden Globe and earning an Oscar nomination can do wonders at the box office for some. Eddie Murphy, coming off the highly successful "Dreamgirls" run, has once again become a dollar magnet at the box office.
Murphy's latest film, "Norbit," far surpassed expectations and delivered a big payday for its producers at Dream Works. "Norbit" brought in $33.7 million over the three-day weekend to easily beat the debut of "Hannibal Rising," a prequel in the "The Silence of the Lambs" series.
For Murphy, the surprising weekend marked the 14th time a movie he appeared in has debuted at number one. Murphy should expect to earn number 15 by May when "Shrek the Third" debutes.
As for "Hannibal Rising," it seemed the film couldn't escape the critics disdain and movie-goers stayed away. While it finished at number two it brought in just $13.35 million for MGM.
The Mandy Moore, Diane Keaton flick "Because I Said So" finished third at the box office with $9 million and pushed its total to $25.6 million since its debut last weekend.
Last week's number one film, "The Messengers," earned $7.2 million to place its total at $24.7.
Ben Stiller continued bringing in the bucks on the night shift as "Night at the Museum" earned another $5.75 million to increase the movies stash to $232.1 million.
Box Office Weekend Results
1. "Norbit," $33.7 million.
2. "Hannibal Rising," $13.35 million.
3. "Because I Said So," $9 million.
4. "The Messengers," $7.2 million.
5. "Night at the Museum," $5.75 million.
6. "Epic Movie," $4.45 million.
7. "Smokin' Aces," $3.8 million.
8. "Pan's Labyrinth," $3.55 million.
9. "Dreamgirls," $3.1 million.
10. "The Queen," $2.5 million.
