WEEKEND BOX OFFICE

The new action-thriller Unknown surprised everyone last week by debuting at number one with $21.7 million. But with two new films opening this weekend including Owen Wilson's Hall Pass, and the 3D action film Drive Angry, as well as the popular animated film Gnomeo and Juliet working its way up the charts, the Liam Neeson vehicle was unable to retain its box office crown for a second week in a row.

Moving up two places from last week to take the number one spot for the first time since it entered the box office charts over three weeks ago is the new CGI animated film Gnomeo and Juliet. The film is based on William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, and features the music of Grammy Award winner Elton John. The film also features the voice talents of James McAvoy (Wanted), Emily Blunt (Charlie Wilson's War), Jason Statham (The Expendables), and two-time Academy Award winners Michael Caine (The Dark Knight), and Maggie Smith (Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince). While the movie fell 25.8% from last week, it earned $4,680 on each of its 3,037 screens for a weekend total of about $14.2 million. In three weeks of release, the film has now made around $75.1 million.

Debuting at number two is the new comedy from There's Something About Mary directors Bobby and Peter Farrelly called Hall Pass. The film stars Owen Wilson (The Royal Tenenbaums), and Jason Sudeikis (Saturday Night Live), as well as Jenna Fischer (The Office), Alyssa Milano (Who's the Boss?), Christina Applegate (Going the Distance), and Oscar nominee Richard Jenkins (The Visitor). The film made $4,549 on each of its 2,950 screens for an opening weekend total of $13.4 million. But the film will need to continue to do well in the next few weeks if it hopes to recoup its entire $36 million production budget.

Dropping two places from its debut last week to number three this week is the new action thriller Unknown. The film stars Liam Neeson (The A-Team), as well as January Jones (Mad Men), Diane Kruger (Inglourious Basterds), Aidan Quinn (Jonah Hex), and Frank Langella (Superman Returns). While the movie fell 43.1% from last week, it earned $4,086 on each of its 3,043 screens for a weekend total of about $12.4 million. In two weeks of release, the film has now made about $42.8 million, which earns back its entire $30 million production budget and then some.

Holding steady at number four for the second week in a row is the new Adam Sandler (Happy Gilmore) comedy Just Go with It, co-starring Jennifer Aniston (Love Happens). The incredible cast also includes Brooklyn Decker (Battleship), Minka Kelly (The Roommate), Dave Matthews (You Don't Mess with the Zohan), Nick Swardson (Bedtime Stories), Rachel Dratch (Spring Breakdown), Kevin Nealon (Get Smart), and Oscar winner Nicole Kidman (The Hours). While the movie fell 39.9% from last week, it earned $3,132 on each of its 3,544 screens for a weekend total of about $11.1 million. In three weeks of release, the film has now made around $79.3 million, which pretty much earns back its entire $80 million production budget.

Finally, rounding off the top five this week and falling three places from its debut last week is the new film from Eagle Eye director D.J. Caruso, I Am Number Four. The movie stars an excellent cast of young actors including Alex Pettyfer (Beastly), Dianna Agron (Glee), Teresa Palmer (The Sorcerer's Apprentice), Callan McAuliffe (Flipped) and Timothy Olyphant (The Crazies). While the movie fell 43.3% from last week, it earned $3,497 on each of its 3,156 screens for a weekend total of about $11 million. In two weeks of release, the film has now made around $37.7 million but will need to continue to do well in the next few weeks if it hopes to recoup its entire $60 million production budget.

Unfortunately, not all of the new films released this week were able to find an audience.

The new 3D action film Drive Angry barely cracked the top ten and debuted at a disappointing ninth place. The movie stars Oscar winner Nicolas Cage (Gone in Sixty Seconds), as well as Amber Heard (Pineapple Express), Billy Burke (Twilight), Charlotte Ross (NYPD Blue), David Morse (16 Blocks), and William Fichtner (Prison Break). The film only made $2,241 on each of its 2,290 screens for a disappointing opening weekend total of $5.1 million.

Next week will see the opening of four exciting new films in wide release.

First up is the new computer animated Western from Pirates of The Caribbean: The Curse of The Black Pearl director Gore Verbinski called Rango. The film stars Oscar nominee Johnny Depp (Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas), as well as Isla Fisher (Wedding Crashers), Abigail Breslin (Little Miss Sunshine), Bill Nighy (Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End), Alfred Molina (Spider-Man 2), Ray Winstone (Edge of Darkness), and Timothy Olyphant (I Am Number Four).

Also opening next week is the new '80s comedy Take Me Home Tonight. The film stars Topher Grace (Predators), and Anna Faris (Lost In Translation), as well as Dan Fogler (Balls of Fury), Teresa Palmer (I Am Number Four), Chris Pratt (Parks and Recreation), and Michael Biehn (The Terminator).

Next week will also see the opening of the new science-fiction thriller The Adjustment Bureau. The film stars Oscar winner Matt Damon (The Bourne Ultimatum), as well as Emily Blunt (Charlie Wilson's War) (Charlie Wilson's War), Anthony Mackie (The Hurt Locker), Michael Kelly (Fair Game), Daniel Dae Kim (Lost), John Slattery (Mad Men), Terence Stamp (The Limey), and Oscar nominee Shohreh Aghdashloo (House of Sand and Fog).

Finally opening next week in wide release is the new fantasy romance Beastly, which is based on the classic Beauty and the Beast story. The movie stars Vanessa Hudgens (Sucker Punch) and Alex Pettyfer (I Am Number Four), as well as Neil Patrick Harris (The Smurfs), Lisa Gay Hamilton (Beloved), Peter Krause (Six Feet Under), and Mary-Kate Olsen (Full House). So please check back in seven days to see who comes out on top at the box office next week!