Paramount's TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES Pulls in $4.6M at Thursday Box Office

Despite less than stellar reviews from critics, Paramount Pictures' Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is already off to strong opening at the box office. Variety reports that the live action adventure has pulled in an estimated $4.6 million following Thursday screenings.

'Turtles' opened in 2,651 theaters nationwide and is predicted to earn close to $50 million over the weekend. The site suggests that the huge audience response is due to a combination of nostalgia for the 1990s films, TV shows and a recently released line of toys, along with Nickelodeon's updated take on the original series.

Turtles is set to open in 17 international markets, including Russia and Mexico.

The film stars Megan Fox, Alan Ritchson, Jeremy Howard, Pete Ploszek, Noel Fisher, Will Arnett, Danny Woodburn and William Fichtner.

In Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, darkness has settled over New York City as Shredder and his evil Foot Clan have an iron grip on everything from the police to the politicians. The future is grim until four unlikely outcast brothers rise from the sewers and discover their destiny as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The Turtles must work with fearless reporter April O'Neil (Fox) and her wise-cracking cameraman Vern Fenwick (Arnett) to save the city and unravel Shredder's diabolical plan.

Poster courtesy of Paramount Pictures