'Shrek the Third' sets new animated b.o. record

May 21, 2007 Shrek might have been able to avoid the throne in the story line of his third adventure in theaters, but he was not able to shirk his regal duties at the turnstiles in North America. Paramount Pictures' "Shrek the Third" seized the boxoffice crown for the weekend with an estimated debut of a dazzling $122 million from 4,122 theaters for a total to date of $122.9 million, which includes $907,000 from Thursday night previews. The debut of "Shrek" marks the biggest animated film opening in boxoffice history, the third best nonholiday bow ever and the fourth-biggest opening weekend of all time.

Subscribe to the Hollywood Reporter and see the entertainment industry from its best angle: the inside looking out. Complete access to real-time news and exclusive analysis that goes behind the scenes from film to television, home video to digital media.

   Subscribe now.