‘Abominable’ No.1 with $20.9M; Zellweger’s ‘Judy’ sings out

By Jake Coyle The Associated Press

5 years ago

This image released by DreamWorks Animation shows Everest the Yeti, left, and Yi, voiced by Chl ... — This image released by DreamWorks Animation shows Everest the Yeti, left, and Yi, voiced by Chloe Bennet, in a scene from "Abominable," in theaters on Sept. 27. (DreamWorks Animation LLC. via AP)

This image released by Roadside Attractions shows Renée-Zellweger as Judy Garland in a scene from "Judy," in theaters on Sept. 27. (David Hindley/Roadside Attractions via AP)

NEW YORK — The DreamWorks animated adventure “Abominable” has topped the box office with an estimated $20.9 million, while the Renee Zellweger-led Judy Garland tale “Judy” got off to a sonorous start.

“Abominable” was the weekend’s sole new wide release. It’s a U.S.-China co-production between Universal’s DreamWorks and China’s Pearl Studios, so its performance in China will be vital to its success.

A handful of holdovers stayed strong. Last week’s No. 1 film, “Downton Abbey,” slid to second with $14.5 million. The stripper crime drama “Hustlers” landed in third with $11.5 million. Its star, Jennifer Lopez, was this week announced as next year’s Super Bowl halftime act, along with Shakira.

But one of the weekend’s biggest successes was “Judy,” propelled by the draw of Zellweger. It opened with $3.1 million on 461 screens.