Final numbers for the three-day weekend revealed what many had suspected: Cloverfield toppled New York and the competition.  The strong numbers were a result of Paramount’s smart marketing.  In addition to the eerie trailers, the film debuted in January - usually a fairly quiet month for decent films.  Cloverfield’s $46 million take has already covered the movie’s budget (estimated at around $25 million).  That dollar amount also earned the Matt Reeves flick the title for best MLK and January opener ever.

Although 27 Dresses raked in $20 million less than the horror flick, Katherine Heigl had nothing to cry about.  Thanks to more strategic marketing - this time by Fox - the film was able to take advantage of those looking for something less dark.  Dresses was originally scheduled to debut last week but was repositioned so it could open during the busy weekend.

Unfortunately, female focus on the romantic comedy didn’t help the female-filled Mad Money.  The movie - co-starring Queen Latifah, Diane Keaton and Katie Holmes - cashed out in 8th place.  This makes two disappointing debuts in a row for the Cruise Clan (the first being Tom’s Lions for Lambs).  Let us not forget that Katie opted to do this film instead of the Batman sequel for her post-Tom movie return.  Come to think of it, maybe it was for the best.  I could just hear Tom telling us now that if he had known Heath was doing drugs, he would have cured Ledger himself.

1. Cloverfield, Paramount, $46,146,546 (avg. $13,528)
2. 27 Dresses, 20th Century Fox, $27,442,040 (avg. $8976)
3. The Bucket List, Warner Bros., $16,664,347 (avg. $5716)
4. Juno, Fox Searchlight, $11,966,082 (avg. $4722)
5. National Treasure: Book of Secrets, Disney, $9,606,326 (avg. $3242)
6. First Sunday, Sony, $9,504,908 (avg. $4295)
7. Alvin and the Chipmunks, 20th Century Fox, $9,433,049 (avg. $3184)
8. Mad Money, Overture Films, $9,273,645 (avg. $3754)
9. I Am Legend, Warner Bros., $5,905,443 (avg. $2338)
10. Atonement, Focus Features, $5,528,377 (avg. $4282)

(You can review last week’s numbers here.)