"Fifty Shades of Grey" tops U.S. box office with $81.7 million

PanARMENIAN.Net - "Fifty Shades of Grey" has made its way to the top spot at weekend box office. The raunchy movie starring Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan opened with an estimated $81.7 million domestically. Internationally, the Sam Taylor-Johnson-directed movie is estimated to rake in $158 million from 9,637 locations in 58 territories, AceShowbiz reported.

With the number, "Fifty Shades of Grey" is now the biggest Presidents Day weekend opener. The record was previously held by Julia Roberts, Ashton Kutcher and Bradley Cooper-starring "Valentine's Day" (2010) with $56.3 Million. Additionally, "Fifty Shades of Grey" has posted the second biggest February debut. The record is still held by "The Passion of the Christ" with $83.9 million opening.

"Our fondest wishes were realized," said Nick Carpou, Universal's President of Domestic Distribution, as quoted by the Associated Press. "This is one of those moments where I can speak for the entire studio and say we're celebrating."

Far behind "Fifty Shades of Grey", the second spot at the box office is taken by another newcomer "Kingsman: The Secret Service". The action movie starring Colin Firth and Taron Egerton collected an estimated $35.6 million. Last week's first placer "The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water" is now on the third place with an estimated $30.5 million. "American Sniper" falls to the fourth place from its second spot with approximately $16.4 million, while "Jupiter Ascending" slips to the fifth spot from its third position last week with an estimated $9.4 million.

"Seventh Son" also falls from last week's position to the sixth spot after garnering an estimated $4.2 million. "Paddington", which is adapted from popular children's book about an adorable Teddy bear's adventure, is on the next position with $4.1 million.

"The Imitation Game" starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Keira Knightley keeps its position steady at No. 8 with an estimated $3.5 million. "The Wedding Ringer" is placed ninth and "Project Almanac" rounds out the top ten.