The Nicolas Cage thriller cruised to No. 1 with $24.8 million, according to studio estimates from box office tracking firm Nielsen EDI.

Despite tough reviews — only a quarter of the nation's critics recommended the movie, according to survey site RottenTomatoes.com — the debut was about $4 million more than expected.

The strong opening propelled it past the Paul Rudd buddy comedy I Love You, Man, which debuted to $18 million, meeting the high end of projections.

Roberts' spy thriller Duplicity also met most analysts' expectations, taking in $14.4 million, good for third place.

Dwayne Johnson's Race to Witch Mountain was fourth with $13 million, bringing the 10-day total for the Disney franchise reboot to $44.7 million.

The graphic novel adaptation Watchmen continued its steep fall, dropping 62% in its third weekend to take fifth place and $6.7 million. While the movie has done $98 million, it will be tough to recoup its $120 million budget and millions more in marketing.

Ticket sales surged 12% ahead of last weekend.

Final figures are due Monday.