Update 4/15:   The estimates are in for the entire weekend, and it would appear that the early estimates were right on the money aside from a slight bullish hedge on The Three Stooges.  The Hunger Games raked in $21.5 million for the top spot at the box office while The Three Stooges came in second with $17.1 million–a figure good enough for the Farrelly Brothers third best opening to date. 

The Cabin in the Woods claimed the number three spot with $14.85 million and then things start to slur a bit.  Titanic and American Reunion each cracked the $10 million mark while four films came in the range of $6-7 million.  Europa’s latest film Lockout was at the bottom of that grouping with a lackluster $6.25 million haul.

Original:  Early reports are indicating that this weekend will feature a few box office surprises including a possible new top dog for the weekend as the Farrelly Brother’s The Three Stooges is looking at $20 million+ at the moment.  The movie was only expected to debut in the low teens, but if for those of you who follow the Farrelly Brothers it should not be too much of a shock as their non-franchise properties attached tend to range from $10-20 million.  It is only natural that a more familiar offering from the duo would hit up close to $20 million which happens to be what The Hunger Games is expected to pull in.

The second big surprise is Joss Whedon’s Cabin in the Woods.  This is a feature that is being touted as an effort from The Avengers’ director despite the fact that he only produced.  Many are giving credit to Whedon becaused he ‘saved the project’ for Lionsgate, and thus why Drew Goddard’s film is being considered by many to be Joss Whedon’s.  It certainly does not matter to the studio as they will definitely be happy with a gross near the $15 million mark which got there in large part due to very strong reviews.  Rotten Tomatoes has it in the 90′s at the moment which is almost unheard of for a horror film.