The long-awaited big-screen adaptation of “Watchmen” got off to a big start Friday, but couldn’t sustain the momentum for the entire weekend according to preliminary box-office numbers. The film took in $55.7 million for its first three days of release, good enough for first place, but about $10 million below expectations.
“Watchmen” had the sixth-highest debut for an R-rated film according to USA Today. However, the film didn’t come close to the box-office record set by “The Matrix: Reloaded” or by Zach Snyder’s previous graphic novel adaptation, “300”.
However, “Watchmen” dwarfed all other competition at the box-office. “Tyler Perry’s Madea Goes to Prison” dropped from the top slot it held for two weeks and took in $8.8 million.
The Liam Neeson thriller “Thriller” was third with $7.5 million. Oscar-winner “Slumdog Millionaire” was fourth with $6.9 million.
And rounding out the top five was the comedy, “Paul Blart: Mall Cop.”
