"Safe House," a CIA-based thriller starring Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds, topped the North American box office over the long holiday weekend, industry figures showed Tuesday.
"Safe House" earned $23.6 million in ticket receipts from Friday through Sunday, narrowly edging last week's winner, romantic drama "The Vow" starring Rachel McAdams, which took in $23.6 million, Exhibitor Relations said.
McAdams stars as a newlywed who loses her memory in an accident, with husband Channing Tatum fighting to win back her heart. Over the four-day weekend the movies took $27.5 million and $26.6 million respectively.
"Ghost Rider: Spirit Of Vengeance" starring Nicolas Cage as the devil's bounty hunter, opened in third place, taking $22.1 million over three days and $25.5 million including Presidents' Day on Monday.
The movie is a 3D sequel to a 2007 movie also starring Cage that first brought the motorcycle-riding Marvel Comics character with a flaming head to the big screen.
In fourth place was "Journey 2: The Mysterious Island," a family-friendly movie starring former wrestler Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, with $19.8 million in ticket sales, or $25.9 million over four days.
"This Means War," a comedy about two CIA operatives in love with the same woman, opened at $17.4 million, while "Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace" -- the 3D version of the 1999 George Lucas film -- raked in $7.9 million.
Including the holiday Monday, the fifth- and sixth-placed movies earned $20 million and $9.9 million respectively.
"Chronicle," about three teenage friends gaining superpowers, slid to seventh on takings of $7.6 million ($9.2 million over four days), while horror film "The Woman In Black" starring Daniel Radcliffe was in eighth place, with sales of $6.7 million ($7.8 million).
"The Secret World Of Arrietty," a well-reviewed Japanese animated film from Studios Ghibli based on the children's book "The Borrowers," opened in ninth place with $6.4 million, or $8.7 million including Monday.
Rounding off the top 10 was adventure thriller "The Grey" starring Liam Neeson, which pulled in $3.1 million, or $3.7 million over the four-day weekend.
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