Zombieland’s horror comedy rules weekend box office

NEW YORK - “Zombieland”, the horror comedy with Woody Harrelson (of Cheers fame) and Jesse Eisenberg, debuted as the top favourite of weekend cinema crowds in North America.

According to studio estimates, it took in $25 million with backing from critics, who liked the story of two unevenly matched men who make their mark in a world of zombies.

Zombieland pushed “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” - the animated 3-D adventure story of a young inventor - into second place, with $16.7 million. Cloudy has grossed $82.4 million since its release three weeks ago.

The re-release of “Toy Story” and “Toy Story 2″ in 3D reaped $12.5 million, followed by “The Invention of Lying” $7.4 million; “Surrogates” $7.3 million; “Capitalism: A Love Story” and “Whip It”, both with $4.85 million; “Fame” $4.75 million; “The Informant” $3.8 million; and “Love Happens” $2.8 million.