'Shrek the Third' in first at Friday boxoffice

Staff report

May 20, 2007, ET

Paramount's "Shrek the Third" left a big footprint Friday as the DreamWorks Animation film scared up an estimated $38.1 million on its first day of release to easily outdistance its rivals, according to estimates from boxofficemojo.com.

Unspooling in 4,122 theaters, the PG-rated "Shrek" was the only new wide release this weekend. The DreamWorks Animation tale also garnered just under $1 million in receipts from late Thursday screenings.

Sony Pictures' "Spider-Man 3" gave up the top spot as it entered its third week of release, coming in second Friday with an estimated $8 million in receipts. The webslinger's domestic cume stands at $261.3 million.

Among recent holdovers, Fox's "28 Weeks Later" claimed third place Friday with an estimated $1.7 million, bringings it's cume to $15.1 after one week.

Paramount's "Disturbia" continues to perform well in its fifth week of release, bringing in $1.2 million to place fourth. The thriller starring Shia LaBeouf has earned $68.8 million.

In fifth place, Universal's family drama "Georgia Rule" garnered an estimated $1.1 million.

'Shrek the Third' in first at Friday boxoffice

Staff report

May 20, 2007, ET