By Franck Tabouring
Weekend of November 7 – 9, 2008

DreamWorks Animation’s “Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa” dominated the North American box office this weekend with a stunning $63.5 million in ticket sales, according to studio estimates Sunday.

Eric Darnell and Tom McGrath’s sequel to the 2005 hit family flick raced to the top spot early on, beating its predecessor’s opening weekend gross by $16.3 million. In the film New York zoo animals Alex, Marty, Gloria and Melman try to fly back home but accidentally end up somewhere in Africa.

Debuting in second place with a surprising $19.2 million was David Wain’s R-Rated comedy “Role Models.” Starring Paul Rudd and Seann William Scott, the film focuses on two co-workers who are ordered to spend some quality time with two lonely kids.

At No. 3, Disney’s “High School Musical 3: Senior Year” collected another $9.2 million, lifting its domestic total to $75.7 million after three weeks in release. Following closely at No. 4 was Clint Eastwood’s "Changeling,” which reaches a total haul of $20.5 million after this weekend’s earnings of $7.2 million.

Meanwhile, Kevin Smith’s latest comedy “Zack and Miri Make a Porno” dropped to fifth place, picking up $6.5 million and bringing its cumulative gross to $20.9 million after a solid two-week run. Starring Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks, the film follows two life-long friends who decide to make a porno in order to eradicate their growing debt.

New entry “Soul Men” only made to No. 6 this weekend, pulling in $5.6 million. The Malcolm D. Lee-directed comedy stars Samuel L. Jackson and Bernie Mac as two soul legends embarking on a road trip to Tennessee.

Lionsgate’s latest horror sequel “Saw V” slipped to seventh place with $4.2 million, lifting its cumulative gross to $52 million. Following at No. 8 was “The Haunting of Molly Hartley,” which took home another $3.4 million to reach a total haul of $10.2 million.

Two films rounded out the top 10: “The Secret Life of Bees” pulled $3.1 million at No. 9 for a total of $29.9 million, while D.J. Caruso’s “Eagle Eye” reached $96.4 million thanks to a weekend gross of $2.5 million.

Source: Box Office Mojo (www.boxofficemojo.com)