'Knowing' destroys competition at Friday box office

Alex Proyas' apocalyptic thriller "Knowing" took the No. 1 spot Friday at the North American box office with an estimated $8.9 million in ticket sales. The film follows Nicholas Cage as he tries to prevent a series of global disasters.

Debuting in second place was new entry "I Love You, Man," which collected $6.3 million. Starring Paul Rudd and Jason Segel, the comedy centers on a man who has no male friends and heads out to find a best man for his wedding.

Meanwhile, Tony Gilroy's "Duplicity" finished in third place with $4.7 million. In the comedy, Julia Roberts and Clive Owen star as two spies teaming up to pull off the perfect corporate con.

At No. 4, last week's box office champion "Race to Witch Mountain" collected another $3.8 million, lifting its domestic gross to $35.5 million after two weeks in release.

Following in fifth place with $2 million was Zack Snyder's "Watchmen," which brought its total haul to $93.3 million. "The Last House on the Left" reached a cumulative gross of $20 million at No. 6.

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