'Forbidden Kingdom' fights to top of box office with $20.9M

In narrower release, the Weinstein Co. documentary "Where in the World Is Osama bin Laden?" bombed with just $143,299 in 102 theaters, averaging a paltry $1,405 a cinema. "Forbidden Kingdom" averaged $6,623 in 3,151 theaters.

A globe-trotting hunt for the al-Qaida leader, "Where in the World Is Osama bin Laden?" was directed by Morgan Spurlock, who made the hit documentary "Super Size Me."

With a PG-13 rating, "The Forbidden Kingdom" proved a family friendly film compared to more action-intense martial arts flicks. The movie is part of a new Asian line of films from the Weinstein Co., including an upcoming remake of "Seven Samurai."

"I have three daughters who have never seen a martial arts movie, and they loved this," Weinstein said. "A lot of females identify with it. That's the audience that's going to grow. I think we'll get young girls and moms next weekend."

Overall receipts were up for the first time in a month as Hollywood lumbers through a prolonged dry spell. The top 12 movies took in $82.1 million, up 12 percent from the same weekend last year.

"There is a collective sigh of relief in Hollywood," said Paul Dergarabedian, president of box office tracker Media By Numbers. "This is overdue and much needed as we head toward the beginning of the summer season."

Movie attendance is running 6.5 percent behind that of 2007, according to Media By Numbers.

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Media By Numbers LLC.

1. "The Forbidden Kingdom," $20.9 million.

2. "Forgetting Sarah Marshall," $17.3 million.

3. "Prom Night," $9.1 million.

4. "88 Minutes," $6.8 million.

5. "Nim's Island," $5.7 million.

6. "21," $5.5 million.

7. "Street Kings," $4 million.

8. "Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who!", $3.5 million.

9. "Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed," $3.1 million.

10. "Leatherheads," $3 million.