'Hitch' Beats Out 'Constantine' For First Place

Over the first three days of Presidents Day weekend, the Will Smith romantic comedy wooed an estimated $31.8 million away from moviegoers--just enough to exorcise Keanu Reeves' demon-happy Constantine, which spirited up $30.5 million.

However, the Warners R-rated stylish horror fantasy had the higher per-screen average, $10,155 from 3,006 locations, compared to $8,895 from 3,575 sites for Sony's PG-13 release.

Smith's matchmaking comedy, which costars Kevin James and Eva Mendes, continues to hook up a broad demographic, grossing $90.1 million in 10 days. Sony estimates the film will pass $100 million before next weekend and eventually gross upward of $150 million.

Fox's PG-rated Because of Winn-Dixie debuted in third place with $10.8 million, according to preliminary studio figures released Sunday. Based on the kiddie book, the family-friendly film stars AnnaSophia Robb as the lonely young girl who finds companionship with the stray dog. It opened in 3,188 sites, where it averaged $3,403. Fox estimates that by the time the holiday weekend ends Monday night, the studio will have earned back the film's modest $14 million production budget.

The weekend's final wide release, New Line's PG-rated Son of the Mask, was far from smokin', opening in fourth with just $7.6 million. With Jamie Kennedy vainly trying to match the shape-shifting skills of Jim Carrey, who starred in 1994's original The Mask, the sequel averaged only $2,588 at 2,966 sites.

The only new limited release was the dysfunctional family story Imaginary Heroes, starring Sigourney Weaver, Jeff Daniels (news) and Emile Hirsch. The R-rated Sony Pictures Classics offering, which had a one-week run in December in a failed bit for Oscar attention, tallied $31,270 at eight sites for an average of $3,909.

Meanwhile, three movies considered hot favorites to nab some statuettes at next Sunday's Oscar ceremonies, remained in the top 10.

Million Dollar Baby rang up $7.1 million in fifth place and has now grossed $54.6 million in 10 weeks of release.

Over the same time frame, The Aviator has earned $88.1 million, including the $4.1 million picked up this weekend in ninth place.

Sideways, which has grossed $58.1 million in 18 weeks, slurped up $3.9 million in the 10 spot.

Final figures will be released Tuesday, but for three days of the four-day holiday, the top 12 movies have grossed $119 million. If estimates hold, this Presidents Day will be the second-best ever.

Here's a rundown of the three-day estimates, per Exhibitor Relations:

1. Hitch, $31.8 million
2. Constantine, $30.5 million
3. Because of Winn-Dixie, $10.8 million
4. Son of the Mask, $7.6 million
5. Million Dollar Baby, $7.1 million
6. Are We There Yet?, $6.5 million
7. Boogeyman, $5.5 million
8. Pooh's Heffalump Movie, $4.4 million
9. The Aviator, $4.1 million
10. Sideways, $3.9 million