Movie fans across North America not only welcomed 50 First Dates, they also remembered to recommend it to their friends. The Adam Sandler-Drew Barrymore comedy about a romance that blossoms despite the amnesic condition of the young woman grabbed an estimated $41 million in the Valentine weekend.

Sandler and Barrymore, the hit pair of The Wedding Singer, which opened over Valentine's weekend four years ago, have both acquired larger profiles since then. If the new film sustains its current momentum, it may gross $150 million.

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Sandler plays a womaniser whose life takes a serious turn when he is smitten with Barrymore, an accident victim who forgets the previous day's memories each morning. He is forced to devise new ways for the two to meet and fall in love, again and again.

Though some critics found the story too incredible, many major publications gave it a rave. The New York Times, in particular, praised Barrymore's performance and the movie's ending. Many critics also noted the chemistry between Sandler and Barrymore was spontaneous.

Expecting the film to have very wide appeal, Sony released it in about 3,600 theatres (and on some 5,000 screens). Most spring releases open in about 2,000 theatres.

Last week's top grosser Barbershop 2: Back In Business did impressive business, though it slipped to second place with $15.6 million. With a ten-day total of $44.1 million, the comedy led by a black cast could be profitable in three weeks.

Another film showing strong muscles at the box-office is Miracle, which has reinvented Kurt Russell's career. About the unexpected American victory over the seemingly invincible Russian hockey team over two decades ago, the film is third on the charts, having grossed $37 million. Russell plays the mercurial and enigmatic American coach. The film is looking to a long run.

The supernatural thriller Butterfly Effect is still mesmerising audiences at fourth spot. With a $5.7 million weekend gross and $50 million cumulative gross, it has already been declared the surprise hit of the season. It was followed by another unexpected hit, the low-budget You Got Served, aimed at younger audiences. Along Came Polly, another durable hit, and Catch That Kid, an instant flop, followed.

The last three films on the chart are Oscar nominees. Return Of The King, whose gross reached $357 million in North America, is moving towards the $1 billion benchmark worldwide. It was followed by the Civil War drama Cold Mountain which, despite not being nominated Best Picture or Director, has won a successful battle at the box-office. Its box-office went up by about 15 per cent over the weekend. With an $88 million gross in North America, it has a good chance of reaching the $100 million mark.

The last film on the top ten chart, Mystic River, is still wooing the more discerning audiences. It has grossed nearly $75 million in 19 weeks and is one of the most honoured and best reviewed films directed by Clint Eastwood. At least 10 per cent of its gross can be attributed to the six Oscar nominations it has received.

The serial killer drama Monster, which was on the top 10 for just a week, is still drawing strong numbers in large cities. Playing in about 1,000 theatres, the film which fetched a Best Actress nomination for Charlize Theron grossed nearly $3 million. It is 11th on the list. The sleeper hit has drawn nearly four million moviegoers and has seized nearly $20 million, not a small feat, considering it is a grim and morbid film.

The box office this week:

Rank	Film	Weekend gross	Total gross	Number of weeks
1	50 First Dates	$41 million	$41m	New
2	Barbershop2: Back In Business	$15.6 million (less 36% from the previous weekend)	$44m	2
3	Miracle	$14 million (less 22% from the previous weekend)	$37m	2
4	The Butterfly Effect	$5.7million (less 15% from the previous weekend)	$50m	4
5	You Got Served	$5.1 million (less 28% from the previous weekend)	$32m	3
6	Along Came Polly	$4.9 million (less 29% from the previous weekend)	$81m	5
7	Catch That Kid	$4.3 million (less 28% from the previous weekend)	$10.8	2
8	The Return Of The King	$4.1 million (less 5% from the previous weekend)	$357m	9
9	Cold Mountain	$3.7 million (plus 15% from the previous weekend)	$87.5m	8
10	Mystic River	$3.5 million (less 12% from the previous weekend)	$74.6m	19

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