BOX OFFICE BEAT DOWN: 17 Again Celebrates Its Birthday with $24 Million at the Box Office

Weekend Box Office:

1) 17 Again $24 million
2) State of Play $14 million
3) Monsters Vs. Aliens $12.9 million
4) Hannah Montana: The Movie $12.6 million
5) Fast & Furious $12.2 million
6) Crank High Voltage $6.5 million
7) Observe and Report $4 million
8) Knowing $3.4 million
9) I Love You, Man $3.3 million
10) The Haunting in Connecticut $3.1 million

The incredible comedic chemistry shared between Zac Efron and Thomas Lennon was strong enough to push 17 Again to the top of the box office charts this weekend. The hilarious family comedy took in an estimated $24 million, giving it the twelfth biggest opening of 2009. This week's other big release, State of Play, followed in on its heels with just over $14 million. The Russell Crowe/Ben Affleck thriller was certainly an audience favorite, though critics have been split down the middle.

This week's only other major release was the Lionsgate sequel Crank High Voltage. Chev Chelios returned to the big screen, but audiences didn't seem to care, as the high-octane adventure ride landed in sixth place with just $6.5 million to its name. The original opened in 2006 to the tune of $10.4 million. While the film has been greeted by critical success, it is the type of franchise that will flourish on the home market. So if you were one of the few that saw it this weekend, don't rule out a third chapter. It could still happen.

On the independent scene, Every Little Step held the best per screen average, taking in $9,075 at each of its eight locations for a total of $72,600. Following close behind was the Michael Caine drama Is Anybody There?. It took in $7,517 at each of its six screens for a total of $45,100. American Violet collected $257,000 from sixty-one screens. And the critically acclaimed sci-fi cheapie Sleep Dealer managed to earn $30,100 playing on 18 screens.

Next week offers a lull right before all of the big summer releases start to hit, hard. Going up against an age-mutated Zac Efron will be Channing Tatum in Fighting and Matthew McConaughey in the romantic comedy Ghosts of Girlfriends Past.