Even Brad Pitt couldn’t put the cat out of first place at the weekend box office.
Studio estimates yesterday put the 3-D version of “The Lion King” at No. 1 again, with $22.1 million. That puts it just ahead of the Pitt drama “Moneyball,” which opened at No. 2, with $20.6 million.
“Moneyball” stars Pitt as Oakland A’s general manager Billy Beane, who shook up the baseball world when his tight budget forced him to look for new ways to scout players.
Debuting closely behind at No. 3 was the family film “Dolphin Tale,” with $20.3 million.
“Twilight” star Taylor Lautner’s action tale “Abduction” opened at No. 4, with $11.2 million.
Another action thriller, Open Road Films’ “Killer Elite,” debuted at No. 5, with $9.5 million.
The 3-D reissue of 1994’s “The Lion King” has taken in $61.7 million since opening the previous weekend — on top of nearly $800 million in its original run and a 2002 re-release.