Box Office, Friday Box Office | featured news

The third installment in the blockbuster "Toy Story" franchise roared out of the gate, collecting an estimated $41 million at the North American boxoffice on Friday.

FRIDAY PM UPDATE: My studio sources tell me that very early numbers show that Sony's kid-friendly Karate Kid reboot starring Will Smith's son will be #1 this weekend with nearly $50M. Expectedly, Fox's film action version of the 80's TV series The A-Team will finish #2 -- but only with about $30M which is embarrassing for what was supposed to be the start of another franchise. (Read my backgrounder, 11 WRITERS LATER: 'The A-Team'.) I'll have more info later tonight.

Film News: Animated sequel bests 'Greek' and 'Killers' -- The 3D pic took in an estimated $6.7 million in 4,386 runs, topping several films that opened this week.

Robert Downey Jr. blockbuster falls 71 percent compared to last Friday, taking in $14M on Friday; Russell Crowe adventure second at $13M

Marvel Studio's "Iron Man 2" soared to the top of the domestic rankings with an estimated $52.4 million in boxoffice from its first day in release on Friday.

Warner Bros.' remake of "A Nightmare on Elm Street" topped the domestic boxoffice on Friday with an impressive first-day tally estimated at $15.8 million, setting the stage for a $30 million-plus haul through Sunday.

Film News: Lopez starrer takes in an estimated $4.2 million. -- No need for a "Back-up Plan" for Jennifer Lopez – she claimed the top spot yesterday with her new pic.

Matthew Vaughn's comic actioner "Kick-Ass" topped the Friday boxoffice with an estimated $7.6 million haul, including $1 million from Thursday night performances.

1. DATE NIGHT (Fox) NEW [3,374 Runs]
Friday $9.1M, Estimated Weekend $26M

Overall, it's a fairly tight race among the box office leaders this weekend with the only newcomer -- Fox's Date Night -- opening very wide so it can compete on an equal footing.

FRIDAY 9:40 PM: My sources just gave me these very early Friday box office figures with weekend estimates.
1) How To Train Your Dragon 3D (Dreamworks Animation/Paramount) NEW
Friday $12.5M, Estimated Weekend $44M
2) Alice In Wonderland 3D (Disney) Week 4
Friday $5.5M, Estimated Weekend $19M
3) Hot Tub Time Machine (MGM)
Friday $4.8M, Estimated Weekend $14.5M