PRISONERS, Starring Jackman and Gyllenhaal, Breaks Out at No. 1, Runs Toward $21M Weekend

Tony-winner Hugh Jackman and Jake Gyllenhaal star in PRISONERS, directed by Denis Villeneuve for Warner Bros, Pictures, which opened last night, Sept 20, to $7 million at the box office. The suspense thriller is dashing toward a $21 million weekend opening, according to Deadline.

Jackman and Gyllenhaal are joined onscreen by a solid supporting cast -- Viola Davis, Terrence Howard and Melissa Leo. Written by Aaron Guzikowski, the film's budget is just $46 million, and if opening weekend is any indication, the pic should be able to profit.

In the movie, Keller Dover is facing every parent's worst nightmare. His 6-year-old daughter and her young friend are missing, and as minutes turn to hours, panic sets in. The only lead is a dilapidated RV that had been parked on their street. Heading the investigation, Detective Loki arrests its driver, but a lack of evidence forces the only suspect's release. Knowing his child's life is at stake, the frantic Dover decides he has no choice but to take matters into his own hands.

Another debut this weekend is Sony Pictures' BATTLE OF THE YEAR, which opened to a paltry $1.4 million on Friday, with an estimated draw of $4.1 million by Sunday. The movie was written by Brin Hill and stars Josh Holloway and Chris Brown.

The 1939 classic THE WIZARD OF OZ is also returning to theaters this weekend in IMAX 3D and is expected to gross $2.8 million by Sunday.

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