‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ dominates at box office

Audiences were more than curious to check out the big-screen adaptation of the racy phenomenon “Fifty Shades of Grey” over the weekend. The erotic R-rated drama sizzled in its debut, earning an estimated $81.7 million from 3,646 theaters in its first three days, distributor Universal Pictures said Sunday.

In addition to destroying Valentine’s and Presidents Day weekend records, “Fifty Shades of Grey” also has become the second-highest February debut, behind “Passion of the Christ’s” $83.9 million opening in 2004.

The chart-topping film cost a modest $40 million to produce. Starring Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan as Anastasia Steele and Christian Grey, it could be on track to earn more than $90 million across the four-day holiday weekend.

Director Matthew Vaughn’s “Kingsman: The Secret Service” also exceeded expectations, landing in second place with an estimated $35.6 million from 3,204 locations across the three-day period, according to Rentrak.

The R-rated comic book adaptation starring Colin Firth and Samuel L. Jackson cost a reported $81 million to produce and should earn $41 million across the four-day period.

Animated children’s film “The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water” came in third with $30.5 million in its second weekend in theaters.

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Rentrak.

1. “Fifty Shades of Grey,” $81.7 million.

2. “Kingsman: The Secret Service,” $35.6 million.

3. “The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water,” $30.5 million.

4. “American Sniper,” $16.4 million.

5. “Jupiter Ascending,” $9.4 million.

6. “Seventh Son,” $4.2 million.

7. “Paddington,” $4.1 million.

8. “The Imitation Game,” $3.5 million.

9. “The Wedding Ringer,” $3.4 million.

10. “Project Almanac,” $2.7 million.

This story was originally published February 15, 2015 at 6:13 PM with the headline "‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ dominates at box office."