Jodie Foster draws big crowds into 'Panic Room', weekend's top film

LOS ANGELES -- Movie-goers were on full alert for "Panic Room."

Starring Jodie Foster and Forest Whitaker, the thriller about a mother and daughter hiding from burglars in their home's fortress-like sanctuary took in $30.2 million to debut as the top weekend film, according to studio estimates Sunday.

Among other new films, Dennis Quaid's "The Rookie" had the strongest debut, opening in third place with $15.8 million. Quaid stars in the real-life story of Jim Morris, a science teacher in his mid-30s who finally achieved his life's goal of pitching in the major leagues.

The science-fiction tale "Clockstoppers," about a teen with a watch that can halt time, premiered in fifth place with $10.1 million. The movie was directed by Jonathan Frakes, who plays Will Riker in the "Star Trek" franchise.

Danny DeVito's black comedy "Death to Smoochy," starring Robin Williams as a deposed children's show host seeking vengeance against his replacement (Edward Norton), tanked with just $4.3 million, coming in at No. 7.

The animated "Ice Age" became the first movie released this year to top $100 million. The film remained in the No. 2 spot for the second straight weekend with a weekend gross of $18.6 million, putting its 17-day total at $117.3 million.

"Blade II," last weekend's No. 1 movie, fell to fourth place with $13.2 million, a steep 59 percent drop from opening weekend. The film has grossed $54.9 million in 10 days.

Cashing in on its best-picture win at the Academy Awards, "A Beautiful Mind" expanded to 1,560 theaters, up 105, and took in $4 million. Its total rose to $161 million.

"The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" joined "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" as the only movies released in 2001 to hit the $300 million mark.