Smith’s Hitch holds off Constantine at US box office

Smith’s Hitch holds off Constantine at US box office

Will Smith with his Hitch edged out Keanu Reeves with Constantine in the race for the best US box office result this Presidents Day’s weekend, but the second-rated Constantine, the dark comic book adaptation, exceeded analysts' modest expectations.

Will Smith’s Hitch, the new Columbia Pictures' romantic comedy directed by Andy Tennant, held the top spot for a second consecutive weekend with $31.8 million (early studio's estimates). Smith's romantic comedy generated $90.1 million since its debut. Hitch took in $7,515,442 February 14, which was the absolute box office record of a Valentine's Day falling on midweek at US movie theatres.The romantic comedy starring Will Smith opened on Friday before Valentine’s Day, but by February 15 earned $50,657,656. Hitch set the box office record this weekend as the biggest debut ever for a romantic comedy with $43,142,214.

The comedy Hitch beat a dark comic-book adaptation Constantine with Keanu Reeves, an R-rated film blending horror and superheroes, generated $30.5 million. Constantine exceeded most analysts' expectations by $5 million.Head of distribution for Warner Bros., which released Constantine, says: "We're seeing the return of D.C. Comics. And fans obviously still love the kind of character Keanu first developed in The Matrix."

Audiences fell in love with Hitch on Valentine’s Day, set box office record