Watchmen scores biggest opening of 2009

Comic book movie adaptation Watchmen has scored the biggest opening of 2009 after taking in an estimated £39.8 million at the U.S. box office over the weekend.

The adaptation of Alan Moore's celebrated graphic novel started strongly, taking in a whopping £17.85 million on its opening day (06Mar09).

The film, starring Patrick Wilson and Malin Akerman, opened in 3,611 cinemas across America on Friday - the widest theatre count ever for an R-rated film.

Tyler Perry's Madea Goes to Jail came in second with an £6.3 million weekend take and Liam Neeson thriller Taken was third. Oscar winner Slumdog Millionaire came in fourth - 17 weeks after the movie was released in America.

Outside the U.S., Watchmen also scored big - it took in £19.6 million at 5,097 in 45 territories to claim the top spot at the international market too.

Gran Torino, Marley & Me and Slumdog Millionaire are among the other movies doing very well at the box office outside the U.S.

Titles related to this article

Related/similar articles

• Watchmen (6 March 2009)
• Watchmen tops US box office (9 March 2009)
• Monsters Vs. Aliens takes top spot (9 April 2009)
• Tyler tied up and gagged for new movie (23 June 2011)
• WIN! Sucker Punch on Blu-ray Triple Play (8 August 2011)
• The Help leads NAACP Image Awards nominations (19 January 2012)