'Avatar' scores solid $27 million Friday

James Cameron's sci-fi epic "Avatar" stormed the North American box office Friday with a daily gross of $27 million in ticket sales at 3,452 locations. This includes $3.5 million from midnight screenings.

"Avatar," which is now playing in 2D, 3D and Imax, is currently bound for a solid opening weekend gross of around $80 million. The anticipated Fox adventure cost around $230 million to make.

At No. 2, Disney's "The Princess and the Frog" scored $3.4 million Friday, lifting its cume to $35.9 million. Following in third place with $3.1 million was "The Blind Side," which reached a total of $157.8 million.

New entry "Did You Hear About the Morgans?" debuted at No. 4, earning $2.4 million in ticket sales at 2,718 locations. Hugh Grant and Sarah Jessica Parker star in the comedy about a couple entering a witness protection program.

Meanwhile, Chris Weitz's "The Twilight Saga: New Moon" bagged $1.4 million Friday, bringing its domestic total to $271.5 million. Clint Eastwood's "Invictus" generated $1.3 million, enough for sixth place.

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