'Time Machine' Travels To No. 1

It was back to the future at the box office this weekend as a new adaptation of the science fiction classic "The Time Machine" opened in first place, according to studio estimates Sunday.

The movie, based on the 1895 book by science fiction master H.G. Wells and directed by Wells' great-grandson Simon Wells, took in an estimated $22.5 million from Friday through Sunday.

Pre-release tracking data indicated the movie would make about $15 million in the opening weekend, said Jim Tharp, head of distribution at DreamWorks, the film's North American distributor. AOL Time Warner Inc.'s Warner Bros has overseas distribution rights.

Tharp attributed the buoyant opening to the family friendly PG-13 rating, the H.G. Wells imprimatur and the budding stardom of Australian actor Guy Pearce, who plays inventor Alexander Hartdegen. The core audience of young males and sci-fi fans was evidently undeterred by the film's critical pasting. The Wall Street Journal described it as "joyless and largely witless."

"This is a very strong opening since only a handful of movies released in the first half of March ever open to more than $20 million," Tharp said. "With sci-fi fans and young males being the predominate audience ... that core audience seemed to really enjoy the movie."

In second place was "We Were Soldiers," in its second weekend, and opening in third was "All About the Benjamins," an action comedy starring Ice Cube.

"Soldiers," Mel Gibson's Vietnam War saga, held up well from its opening last weekend, dropping only 29 percent to take in an estimated $14.5 million.

"Benjamins" opened in only 1,505 theaters, compared with 2,944 for "Time Machine," and took in $10.1 million. The film's per-screen average of $6,728 was not far behind the $7,643 average for "Time Machine."

The importance of an Oscar nomination was also evident this weekend in the staying power of eighth-place "A Beautiful Mind," 10th-place "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" and 16th-place "In the Bedroom." All are best-picture nominees.

Continuing to do well in limited release was "Monsoon Wedding," an ensemble comedy about the clash of tradition and modern times during wedding preparations in India. The film, out three weeks and playing in 76 theaters, took in $10,250 per theater for a weekend gross of $779,000.

Overall, the take from the weekend's top 12 films was 34 percent higher than the same weekend last year, when there was no major opening to drive receipts.

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at North American theaters, according to Exhibitor Relations Co. Inc.

1. "The Time Machine," $22.5 million.

2. "We Were Soldiers," $14.5 million.

3. "All About the Benjamins," $10.1 million.

4. "40 Days and 40 Nights," $7.1 million.

5. "John Q," $6 million.

6. "Return to Never Land," $4.7 million.

7. "Dragonfly," $4.1 million.

8. "A Beautiful Mind," $3.9 million.

9. "Big Fat Liar," $3.4 million.

10. "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring," $2.6 million.