The 3-D adventure features a voice cast of Nicolas Cage, Emma Stone and Catherine Keener. The film revolves around a prehistoric family who encounters danger and strange new creatures when they're forced to find a new cave.
Opening in second place with $30.5 million was "Olympus Has Fallen," an action thriller from "Training Day" director Antoine Fuqua in which North Korean terrorists take over the White House. Gerard Butler, as a secret service agent, leads an all-star cast that includes Aaron Eckhart as the president, Morgan Freeman and Angela Bassett.
"Oz the Great and Powerful" came in third with $22 million.
The top 10 films at the box office were:
1. "The Croods," $44.7 million ($63.3 million international)
2. "Olympus Has Fallen," $30.5 million ($2.2 million international)
3. "Oz the Great and Powerful," $22 million ($21.7 million international)
4. "The Call," $8.7 million
5. "Admission," $6.4 million
6. "Spring Breakers," $5 million ($1.1 million international)
7. "The Incredible Burt Wonderstone," $4.3 million
8. "Jack the Giant Slayer," $3 million ($19.3 million international)
9. "Identity Thief," $2.5 million ($4.7 million)
10. "Snitch," $1.9 million
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
