‘Panic Room’ Is No.1; ‘Rookie’ Comes in Third

Moviegoers were on full alert for “Panic Room.”

Starring Jodie Foster and Forest Whitaker, the thriller about a mother and daughter hiding from burglars in their home’s fortress-like sanctuary took in $30.2 million to debut as the top weekend film, according to studio estimates Sunday.

“This was the third weekend in a row with a movie opening over $30 million. That would be good news in the summer, let alone March,” said Paul Dergarabedian, president of box-office tracking firm Exhibitor Relations.

Dennis Quaid’s “The Rookie” opened in third place with $15.8 million. Quaid stars in the real-life story of Jim Morris, a science teacher in his mid-30s who finally achieved his life’s goal of pitching in the major leagues.

The science-fiction tale “Clockstoppers,” about a teen with a watch that can halt time, premiered in fifth place with $10.1 million. The movie was directed by Jonathan Frakes, who plays Will Riker in the “Star Trek” franchise.

Danny DeVito’s black comedy “Death to Smoochy,” starring Robin Williams as a deposed children’s show host seeking vengeance against his replacement (Edward Norton), tanked with just $4.3 million, coming in at No. 7.

The animated “Ice Age” became the first movie released this year to top $100 million. The film remained in the No. 2 spot for the second consecutive weekend, putting its 17-day total at $117.3 million. “Blade II,” last weekend’s No. 1 movie, fell to fourth place with $13.2 million, a 59% drop from opening weekend.

Cashing in on its recent best picture Oscar, “A Beautiful Mind” expanded to 1,560 theaters, up 105, and took in $4 million. Its total rose to $161 million.

“The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring” joined “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” as the only movies released in 2001 to hit the $300-million mark.

The top 12 films grossed $114.4 million, up 39% from the same weekend a year ago.

“Panic Room,” directed by David Fincher (“Seven”), drew an even mix of men and women and a good split between older and younger adults, said Jeff Blake, president of worldwide marketing/distribution for Sony, which released the film.

“I think it really was a full-meal movie that appealed pretty equally all around, with a concept everybody can relate to,” Blake said.

“Smoochy” distributor Warner Bros. was “disappointed in the results, but at least we have positive word of mouth from those that attended,” said Dan Fellman, head of distribution. “It’s a dark comedy, and there are movies of this nature that started off slow but held on well week after week.”