Brave | featured news

For the third time this year, following strong openings from "The Hunger Games" and "Snow White and the Huntsman," a movie with a tough female protagonist topped the box office in a major way.

Pixar’s “Brave” did $24.5M on Friday and expected to gross around $70M this weekend, better than the $60M box office analysts were projecting. According to BoxOfficeMojo.com, it’s the third highest opening day box office for Pixar behind “Toy Story 3” ($41M) and “Cars 2” ($25.7M).

"Brave" does something that no Pixar movie has done before: put a female character front and center. Princess Merida in "Brave" (voiced by "Boardwalk Empire" scene stealer Kelly Macdonald) is unlike normal Disney princesses: she's got a lilting Irish brogue, is Katniss Everdeen-y with a bow and arrow, and has no interest in finding Prince Charming -- unless Prince Charming is the key to unlocking a "beastly curse" that threatens her kingdom.

Boardwalk Empire actress Kelly Macdonald has replaced Reese Witherspoon as the lead voice actress in this upcoming animated adventure.