'Knowing' tops the weekend box office with $24.8 million

America loves Nic Cage and a mystery.

Credit: Summit Entertainment

A "Know"-it all beat a "bromance" this weekend as Nic Cage's "Knowing" topped the weekend box office with $24.8 million. 

A significant success for Summit Entertainment, the thriller proved the fledgling mini-major can open a picture without "Twilght" in the title.  In a convenient bit of timing, Summit also released "Twilight" on DVD Saturday to reportedly brisk sales.  It was also be a good weekend for Cage, who has had his ups and downs at the box office the last few years.  The franchise sequel "National Treasure: Book of Secrets" aside, Cage hasn't had an opening this big since the superhero flick "Ghost Rider" over two years ago. 

The Paramount/DreamWorks comedy "I Love You, Man" was expected to put up a stronger battle for No. 1, but 600 less theaters and a compelling NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament may have affected the R-rated comedy more than the studio expected.  Paramount is no doubt hoping the Paul Rudd and Jason Segal comedy's $18 million has strong word of mouth and performs similarly to Segal's "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" which opened to $17 million last year and ended with $63 million total.

Also hinging on public opinion for its long term prospects is the Julia Roberts and Clive Owen romantic comedy/thriller "Duplicity." Already one of the best reviewed commercial films of the year, Tony Gilroy's follow up to "Michael Clayton" made $14.4 million for the weekend, experiencing a significant Saturday jump from $4.75 million on Friday.  Based on tracking, this is a tad disappointing after the picture appeared to be making a charge for the top slot.  It also proves that even after a massive publicity push (something she hasn't done in years), Roberts star isn't what it used to be.  If she wants to get her box office footing back she may be forced to jump on board a more conventional romantic comedy in the near future.


Here are the box office results for the March 20-22 weekend according to Box Office Mojo. 

1. "Knowing," $24.8 million

2. "I Love You, Man," $18 million

3. "Duplicity," $14.4 million

4. "Race to Witch Mountain," $13 million, $44.7 million to date

5. "Watchmen," $6.7 million, $98 million to date

6. "The Last House on the Left," $5.9 million, $24 million to date

7. "Taken," $4.1 million, $133 million to date

8. "Slumdog Millionaire," $2.7 million, $137 million to date

9. "Tyler Perry's Madea Goes to Jail," $2.5 million, $87 million to date

10. "Coraline," $2.1, $72 million to date

Gregory Ellwood
Editor-in-Chief, Co-Founder

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With over a decade of experience in the movie industry, Ellwood survived working for two major studios and has written for Variety, MSN and the LA Times. A co-founder of HitFix, Ellwood spends his time relaxing hitting 3’s on the basketball court and following his beloved Clippers.