'Horton Hears a Who!' is No. 1

LOS ANGELES, March 16 (UPI) -- The animated movie "Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who!" showed it's going to be a blockbuster, debuting in U.S. theaters at No. 1 this weekend.

The children's story about a microscopic community saved by an elephant pulled in an estimated $45.1 million in ticket sales in its first weekend, Box Office Mojo reported Sunday. The characters' voices are provided by a string of big-name celebrities -- including Jim Carrey, Steve Carell and Carol Burnett.

Last week's top movie, "10,000 B.C," moved to No. 2 with $16.42 million in estimated ticket sales. Another new film, "Never Back Down," a teen fight club drama starring Sean Faris and Amber Heard, debuted at No. 3 with $8.61 million.

Next are "College Road Trip," at $7.89 million, "Vantage Point," with $5.4 million and "The Bank Job" with $4.9 million.

"Doomsday," a futuristic action thriller written and directed by Neil Marshall, started at No. 7 with ticket sales estimated at $4.74 million.

Finishing the Top 10 were "Semi-Pro," $3 million; $The Other Boleyn Girl," $2.9 million, and "The Spiderwick Chronicles," $2.39 million.

Gone from the top tier are "Jumper," "Fool's Gold" and "Step Up 2 the Streets."