LOS ANGELES — After weathering a sea of controversy, Noah arrived in first place at the weekend box office.
The biblical epic starring Russell Crowe in the titular role opened with $44 million, according to studio estimates Sunday.
The imaginative take on the tale of Noah’s Ark from Black Swan director Darren Aronofsky led some religious groups to claim the story had been inaccurately depicted and prompted Paramount to add a disclaimer to marketing materials noting that “artistic license has been taken” in telling the story.
The polarizing attention apparently paid off for Noah, which features such additions to the well-known Bible story as angelic rock creatures and chic wardrobes for Noah and his family.
Noah, which also stars Jennifer Connelly and Emma Watson, also sailed smoothly in 22 international markets, such as Russia and Australia, earning $33.6 million abroad.
Noah is the latest faith-centric film to win over audiences this year. Others include the independently released God’s Not Dead, which earned $9 million in its second outing this weekend, and Son of God, whose domestic total now stands at $57.9 million since opening last month.
Elsewhere at the box office, teen science-fiction thriller Divergent starring Shailene Woodley came in second place and earned $26.5 million in its second weekend, bringing its domestic total to $95.3 million.
Muppets Most Wanted, the globe-trotting Muppet sequel featuring Tina Fey and Ricky Gervais, captured third place with $11.4 million in its second weekend. The latest Muppet caper’s total domestic haul is now at $33.2 million.
The weekend’s other major new release, Sabotage, flopped in the seventh spot with $5.3 million. The action flick starring Arnold Schwarzenegger is the latest failure for the former California governor, whose The Last Stand and Escape Plan were box-office duds last year.
Captain America: The Winter Soldier, which opens in the U.S. on Friday, dominated 32 international markets by capturing $75.2 million. The sequel stars Chris Evans as the patriotic Marvel super-soldier.
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