Toys transform into movie magic with $67.6 million debut

LOS ANGELES -- The shape-shifting robots of "Transformers" have taken on a new form: Huge piles of cash.

The sci-fi saga "Transformers," DreamWorks and Paramount's big-screen take on the Hasbro toys, debuted with $67.6 million in ticket sales in its first weekend, according to studio estimates Sunday. That gave it $152.5 million since opening with preview screenings July 2.

If the weekend figures hold when final numbers are released today, that would give "Transformers" the biggest first week revenues ever for a non-sequel, surpassing the $151.6 million of 2002's "Spider-Man." But factoring in today's higher ticket prices, "Spider-Man" drew more people in its first week, about 26.1 million, compared to 22.5 million for "Transformers."

"Transformers," was directed by Michael Bay and features a cast led by Shia LaBeouf and Megan Fox, who are among the humans hurled into the action when two races of warring robots bring their feud to Earth.

The movie's striking visual effects and the Transformers brand -- which debuted in the 1980s with toys, a TV show and an animated movie -- proved irresistible for audiences, said Rob Moore, Paramount's head of worldwide marketing and distribution.

"Michael Bay created something visually that people hadn't seen before," Moore said. "When you look at a jet plane flying under a bridge then flipping and turning into a robot, those kinds of images people found incredibly unique and compelling."

"Transformers" also took in $93.6 million in 23 other countries where it has opened since June 28.

However, the overall domestic box office plunged. The top 12 movies took in $161.5 million, down 23 percent from the same weekend last year, when "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" opened with what was then a record weekend of $135.6 million.

"The good news is we've got another big one right around the corner with 'Harry Potter,"' said Paul Dergarabedian, president of box-office tracker Media By Numbers. "We should be looking at a strong midsummer boost that'll hopefully carry through to the end of summer."

The previous weekend's No. 1 flick, Disney's animated "Ratatouille," dropped to second place with $29 million, raising its 10-day total to $109.5 million.