"Fahrenheit 9/11" earns more than preliminary estimates

The anti-war documentary "Fahrenheit 9/11" earned 23.9 million US dollars over the weekend, 2.1 million dollars more than the preliminary studio estimates, according to final figures of North America box office released Monday.

Box Tracker Exhibitions Relations said Sunday that it estimated that "Fahrenheit 9/11" earned about 21.8 million dollars in June 25-27 weekend and 21.96 million dollars since Wednesday.

Riding a wave of controversy, "Fahrenheit 9/11," directed by Michael Moore, outperformed his Oscar-winning "Bowling for Columbine" which grossed 21.6 million dollars in 2002 over its nine-month run.

"Fahrenheit 9/11" debuted Wednesday on two screens in New York City, taking in about 100,000 dollars, before Friday's wider release in 868 theaters.

The film, which won the Palm d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival, has become the first documentary ever to conquer North America box office.

"Fahrenheit 9/11" accuses the Bush family of having cozy relations with Saudi ruling families, including the family of No. 1 terrorist mastermind Osama bin Laden; it asserts the Republicans stole the 2000 election; it also claims the Bush administration had an obsession with invading Iraq that took resources away from the war on terrorism and left Americans less secure.

The film is expected to earn more as it may be extended to nearly 2,000 screens over the next few weeks.

Meanwhile, newly released comedy "White Chicks," starring Shawn and Marlon Wayans brothers as black FBI agents disguised as white women, debuted in second place, earning 19.6 million dollars.

Last week's leader, "Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story," dropped to third, grossing 18.7 million dollars, followed by the debut of "The Notebook," with a take of 13.4 million dollars and "The Terminal," with 13.1 million dollars.

In sixth place was "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" (11.2 million dollars), followed by "Shrek 2" (10.2 million dollars), "Garfield" (7.5 million dollars), "Two Brothers" (6.1 million dollars) and "The Stepford Wives" (5 million dollars).