'Hansel and Gretel’ takes box office with $19 million

On what was expected to be a pretty uneventful weekend movie-wise, Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters has managed to top the box office with an estimated $19 million.

The film, which stars Jeremy Renner and Gemma Arterton, beat out horror film Mama, which raked in $12.9 million, and comedy Movie 43, which only took in $5 million, according to USA Today .

As previously reported by TheCelebrityCafe.com , Hansel and Gretel was expected to be the big winner of the weekend. Movie 43’s performance was also not “a complete surprise” according to USA Today, as the film only won over about 5 percent of critics, despite an all-star cast. The film, directed by Elizabeth Banks and Brett Ratner, featured the likes of Hugh Jackman, Naomi Watts, Kate Winset, Dennis Quaid, and other well-known stars.

Although Hansel and Gretel won top prize, it too received low marks from critics. Hollywood.com reported that the film only earned 22 out of 100 on Megactiric.com, a site which aggregates reviews from leading critics.

The final numbers will be in by Monday.