Simpsons' movie enjoys huge box office opening

 

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - After paying their dues on the small screen for 18 years, "The Simpsons" have become movie superstars in just one day.

"The Simpsons Movie," an animated feature based on the TV mainstays from Springfield, smashed industry expectations to earn an estimated $29.1 million on its first day of release on Friday in the United States and Canada, tracking firm Box Office Mojo (http://www.boxofficemojo.com) said.

The tally represents the fifth-biggest start so far this year, the company said, and means the movie will likely exceed forecasts when estimates for the weekend are issued on Sunday.

The film's distributor, 20th Century Fox, had cautiously hoped the movie would hit the mid-$30 million range for the Friday-to-Sunday period. Industry analysts were more bullish, forecasting a three-day opening in the $50 million range.

In May, "Shrek the Third" -- another well-known animated franchise -- earned about $39 million on its first day and $121.6 million for the weekend. If "The Simpsons Movie" follows the same trajectory, it will test the $90 million range