'Cloudy with a Chance' Sticks to Box Office's Top

"Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs" sizzled once again at the North American weekend box office. Debuted atop the chart with $30.3 million last week, the 3-D animated family comedy held firm at its crowned position and denied newly-released actioner "Surrogates" from taking over the throne.

Holding up strong, the CG movie revolving around a scientist's attempt to solve world hunger that goes awry collected $25 million in its second week and thus had earned $60.5 million after 10 days in theaters. With an 17.4% drop in ticket sales, it had the third-lowest second-weekend drop of any film this year, following behind "Taken" and "Coraline".

The fourth 3-D film to open first in 2009, "Cloudy" becomes the year's seventh film, and the first animated feature, to spend two weekends at the top of the box office. "It's almost shocking to have a film hold that well after opening that big," Hollywood.com analyst Paul Dergarabedian said. "Sony has done a great job at marketing the film, and the power of the 3-D film cannot be overstated."

Opening second at the chart was "Surrogates". Although some Hollywood analysts expected it to debut atop the box office, the sci-fi thriller gave Disney a blow by landing a second slot with $14.9 million. Despite having Bruce Willis in starring role, it became the mouse house's second disappointing release after "G-Force".

"Unfortunately, I don't think this was a great moviegoing weekend, for whatever reason," Disney's head of distribution Chuck Viane commented on the performance of the movie which cost around $80 million to produce. "I'm disappointed we're not No. 1, but very happy we beat the other films we opened against."

Third place went to "Fame". The director Kevin Tancharoen's modern take on the 1980 musical failed to impress and rounded up $10 million in its opening weekend. Although opening lower than "Surrogates", this remake movie was made with a budget of just $18 million. "Do I wish it was better? Yeah. But are we going to lose money? No," said head of MGM Erik Lomis.

"The Informant!" slipped down two spots to fourth place. The Matt Damon-toplined drama fell just 36.7% in its second week and raked in $6.6 millionn to a total of $20.7 million. Rounding up top five was Tyler Perry's "I Can Do Bad All By Myself". After three weeks screening, the comedy movie added $4.8 million to a $44.6 million total bow.

Top Ten Movies at Box Office for September 25 - 27:

1. "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs" - $25 million
2. "Surrogates" - $14.9 million
3. "Fame" - $10 million
4. "The Informant!" - $6.6 million
5. "I Can Do Bad All By Myself" - $4.8 million
6. "Pandorum" - $4.4 million
7. "Love Happens" - $4.3 million
8. "Jennifer's Body" - $3.7 million
9. "9" - $3 million
10. "Inglourious Basterds" - $2.7 million