Filmgoers' appetite for Hannibal remained unsated over the first three days of the Presidents Day weekend as they bought an estimated $30 million in tickets and were likely to buy $6.5 million more by the end of today (Monday), box office analysts said. It appeared certain that a new record for the holiday would be set.

Three new releases also performed well despite poor-to-so-so reviews. The Chris Rock comedy Down to Earth for Paramount was in second place with about $17.5 million, followed by the Disney cartoon Recess: School's Out with $10.8 million and the Keanu Reeves-Charlize Theron romance Sweet November with $10.8 million. Sony Pictures Classics' Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon slipped to fifth place with about $8.8 million (to bring its total to date to $71.5 million.)

The top ten films for the weekend, according to studio estimates compiled by Exhibitor Relations: 1. Hannibal, $30 million; 2. Down to Earth, $17.5 million; 3. Recess: School's Out, $10.8 million; 4. Sweet November, $10.5 million; 5. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, $8.8 million; 6. Traffic, $6.5 million; 7. The Wedding Planner, $5.7 million; 8. Cast Away, $5 million; 9. Chocolat, $4.8 million; 10. Saving Silverman, $4.3 million.

Source: Studio Briefing