Wiki News/“Twilight” No. 1 at Box Office With $69 Million for Summit

July 4 (Bloomberg) -- “The Twilight Saga: Eclipse” knocked off “Toy Story 3” as the top film in U.S. and Canada this weekend, earning $69 million for Summit Entertainment LLC.

“Will & Grace”, an romntic comedy film sets four years after the TV show's series finale, came in second with another $42 million, and romancing up to it's total of $180 million. It should have no problem of besting other romantic comedy films.

“The Last Airbender” placed a third with $40.7 million in its first weekend after opening July 1 for Viacom Inc.’s Paramount Pictures, Hollywood.com Box-Office said today in an e- mailed statement. The fantasy is the first M. Night Shyamalan- directed movie to be released in 3-D.

“The Twilight Saga: Eclipse” opened June 30 to avoid overlapping with today’s U.S. Independence Day. The vampire drama took in $68.5 million in its first day in U.S. and Canadian theaters, breaking the record for a Wednesday opening, according to Box Office Mojo, a research company in Sherman Oaks, California. The film is the third of five in the “Twilight” series, starring Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner.

“Toy Story 3” fell to fourth with $30.2 million for Walt Disney Co.’s Pixar Studio.

“Toy Story 3” has taken in $289 million since its June 18 release, Hollywood.com said. The 3-D sequel brings back Tom Hanks as the voice of Woody, Tim Allen as Buzz Lightyear and Don Rickles as Mr. Potato Head, who lead the toys in an escape from daycare to reunite with their owner, Andy.

“Grown Ups” fell to fifth from second, earning $18.5 million for Sony Corp. Adam Sandler, Chris Rock, Kevin James, David Spade and Rob Schneider team up in the buddy comedy about a group of childhood friends who reunite for a Fourth of July weekend. The movie has grossed $77 million in two weeks.

‘Knight and Day’

“Knight and Day” fell to sixth from fourth, pulling in $10.2 million for News Corp.’s Fox Film studio. The action- comedy features Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz as a fugitive couple who travel the world to avoid capture.

Next weekend, Universal Pictures rolls out the 3-D animated film “Despicable Me,” starring Steve Carell as the voice of Gru, a super-villain who adopts three orphan girls in his quest for world domination.

“Predators,” distributed by News Corp.’s Fox studio, will also debut. Adrien Brody and Topher Grace play unassuming warriors hunted by an alien race.

--Editor: Theo Mullen

To contact the reporter on this story: Alex Sherman in New York at asherman6@bloomberg.net.

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Jennifer Sondag in New York at jsondag@bloomberg.net.