‘Contraband’ opens at No. 1

LOS ANGELES — “Contraband” managed to steal the top slot away from competitors at the weekend box office.

The Universal action drama film starring Mark Wahlberg as a reformed smuggler debuted above expectations at No. 1 with $24 million, while Disney’s 3-D rerelease of “Beauty and the Beast” waltzed into the No. 2 position with $18.5 million, according to studio estimates Sunday. Both films helped boost Hollywood’s business after a sluggish holiday season.

“Joyful Noise,” the Warner Bros.’ musical comedy starring Queen Latifah and Dolly Parton, opened below expectations with $11.3 million in the No. 4 spot behind Paramount’s “Mission: Impossible — Ghost Protocol,” which earned $11.5 million in its fifth week, bringing the total haul of the fourth installment of the Tom Cruise action franchise to $186.7 million.

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Weekend box office

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Hollywood.com.

1. “Contraband,” $24 million .

2. “Beauty and the Beast,” $18.5 million.

3. “Mission: Impossible — Ghost Protocol,” $11.5 million .

4. “Joyful Noise,” $11.3 million.

5. “Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows,” $8.4 million .

6. “The Devil Inside,” $7.9 million.

7. “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,” $6.8 million .

8. “Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked,” $5.8 million .

9. “War Horse,” $5.6 million .

10. “The Iron Lady,” $5.3 million .