Murphy Is Large and In Charge with "Norbit"

Fresh off his Oscar-nominated performance in Dreamgirls, Eddie Murphy has scored again at the weekend box office with his new comedy, Norbit. Murphy, as he has done in the past, plays more than one character in the film (thanks to makeup and prosthetics), and had audiences laughing to the tune of $33.7 million over three days. The No. 1 opening surprised both analysts and studio execs alike, as the film has been trashed by some critics.

Hannibal Rising, the fifth Hannibal Lecter film, opened at the No. 2 spot with $13.4 million. Rounding out the top five were romantic comedy Because I Said So, thriller The Messengers, and comedy Night at the Museum.

Norbit marks the 14th time Murphy has hit No. 1 at the box office in his career.