'Silent Hill' had a successful debut weekend at the box office, raking in an estimated gross of $20.2 million to lead all films in release.
The eerie horror film unseated last week's top grossing film, 'Scary Movie 4' which spoofs the horror genre. This week, Scary Movie' fell to second place but still took in a respectable $17 million.
'The Sentinel,' an action thriller about a White House assassination finished in third place. Michael Douglas, Kiefer Sutherland and Eva Longoria gave the film plenty of star power and it finished the weekend with an estimated gross of $14.65 million.
'Ice Age: The Meltdown' continued its successful run, bringing in another $12.8 million this weekend, followed by the animated film, 'The Wild' which took in $8.05 million.
'The Benchwarmers' and 'Take the Lead' were sixth and seventh respectively, followed by the debut of 'American Dreamz' which grossed a disappointing $3.7 million and tied with 'Inside Man' for eighth place.
'Friends With Money' finished tenth. The film, which stars ex-'Friends' star Jennifer Aniston,' had done well in limited release in the past two weeks. Now, in wider release, it grossed $3.55 million.
2006 continues to be a better year at the box office than 2005. This weekend's top 12 grossing films took in 22 percent more than the top 12 films did a year ago.
