Weekend Box Office: 'Identity Thief' Steals A Lead

'Identity Thief' Steals A Box Office Lead
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This undated publicity image released by Universal Pictures shows Jason Bateman, left, and Melissa McCarthy in a scene from, "Identity Thief." (AP Photo/Universal Pictures)

Despite receiving harsh reviews from critics, "Identity Thief" took an early lead at the box office on Friday. The comedy, starring Melissa McCarthy and Jason Bateman, opened Friday, making $11.2 million across 3,141 theaters. The movie stars McCarthy as an over-the-top con artist who has stolen Bateman's identity. THR reports that the Friday earnings for "Identity Thief" put the film on pace for a $34.8 million weekend.

Zombie rom-com "Warm Bodies" dropped to the number two spot, making $3.3 million on Friday across 3,009 theaters. The movie stars Nicholas Hoult as a zombie who falls in love with a human girl. "Warm Bodies" has made $28.4 million since its release.

Also opening this weekend is Steven Soderbergh's thriller, "Side Effects." Starring Channing Tatum, Jude Law, Rooney Mara, and Catherine Zeta-Jones, "Side Effects" made $2.8 million across 2,605 theaters on Friday. THR puts the film on pace for a $9 million weekend.

Rounding out the top five for Friday is "Silver Linings Playbook" and "Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters," coming in at number four and five, respectively. Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence's "Silver Linings" made $1.6 million across 2,809 theaters on Friday. The Oscar-nominated film has reached a total domestic gross of $84.7 million. "Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters," starring Jeremy Renner and Gemma Arterton, made $1.4 million across 3,285 theaters Friday. The film has made $39.5 million to date.

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