Zac Efron’s first major box-office showing outside of the High School Musical universe (not counting his supporting role in Hairspray) proved that the dreamboat might be capable of drawing audiences beyond screaming tweens and their parents. The PG-13 comedy 17 Again opened at the top this weekend by a wide margin with $24.07 million, giving Efron his second No. 1 debut in six months (the other being, obviously, High School Musical 3). The Russell Crowe thriller State Of Play took No. 2 with a solid $14.1 million, while Crank 2 made a minor showing at No. 6 with $6.51 million (despite the fact that it reportedly “OWNED,” according to at least one A.V. Club commenter).
The repeat contenders in the 3-5 spots were all within close range of one another, and their positions could change when final tallies are released later on Monday. For now, Monsters Vs. Aliens held fast at No. 3 with $12.9 million, followed by Hannah Montana The Movie, which dropped more than 60 percent to No. 4 with $12.67 million, and Fast And Furious at No. 5 with $12.29 million. Observe And Report took the biggest hit in the top 10, falling 63 percent to No. 7 in its second week with $4.06 million. Knowing and I Love You, Man were also close competitors in their fifth weeks: The former took No. 8 with $3.48 million, while the latter landed at No. 9 with $3.37 million. The Haunting In Connecticut rounds things out at No. 10 with $3.15 million.
More detailed box-office numbers can be found at boxofficemojo.com.