'Oz' bewitches box office with $80M debut

HOLLYWOOD, LOS ANGELES

Disney's 3-D film is the prequel to the classic L. Frank Baum tale "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz." It chronicles the origin of the wizard, played by James Franco. The three witches he encounters are played by Mila Kunis, Michelle Williams and Rachel Weisz.

The updated take on "Oz" was directed by original "Spider-Man" trilogy mastermind Sam Raimi. The film was also golden overseas, conjuring up $69.9 million from 46 foreign markets, including Russia and the United Kingdom.

Another remake of a classic, "Jack the Giant Slayer," took the No. 2 spot, comedy "Identity Thief" took the No. 3 spot, and "Dead Man Down" and "Snitch" rounded out the top five.

The top 10 movies at the box office this weekend are:

1. "Oz the Great and Powerful," $80.3 million. ($69.9 million international.)
2. "Jack the Giant Slayer," $10 million. ($4.9 million international.)
3. "Identity Thief," $6.3 million.
4. "Dead Man Down," $5.3 million.
5. "Snitch," $5.1 million. ($4.7 million international.)
6. "21 & Over," $5 million.
7. "Safe Haven," $3.8 million.
8. "Silver Linings Playbook," $3.7 million. ($6 million international.)
9. "Escape from Planet Earth," $3.2 million.
10. "The Last Exorcism Part II," $3.1 million.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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