American Gangster, a true-life crime saga starring Oscar winners Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe, took the top spot at the weekend North American movie box office. The film took in an estimated $46.3 million worth of tickets during its first three days.
The story of real-life '70s crime boss Frank Lucas surpassed Jerry Seinfeld's heavily marketed Bee Movie, which opened with $39.1 million.
The film set records, according to Universal. The film's gross marks personal bests for both Washington and Crowe, surpassing their previous respective efforts in Inside Man, which earned $29 million and Gladiator, which topped $35 million.
Additionally, Universal said it was the highest-grossing gangster film, out-earning Sin City's $29 million and the $27 million of The Departed.
