'Non-Stop' for Neeson to top of box office

Actor Liam Neeson attends the premiere of 'Non-Stop' Liam Neeson soared to the top of the North American box office with his plane thriller "Non-Stop," raking in $28.9 million on Oscars weekend, industry figures showed Monday. Neeson pipped another new entry, "Son of God," into second, according to box office tracker Exhibitor Relations, which said the controversial film about the life and times of Jesus pulled in $25.6 million.
"The Lego Movie," the Warner Bros animated film, was relegated to third after a short stint in prime position. It earned $20.8 million for a total $209.1 million since opening last month.
It was far ahead of action thriller "3 Days to Kill," starring Kevin Costner as a secret agent tasked with one final deadly mission, which earned a relatively modest $5 million.
Just a whisker behind in fifth place was George Clooney's "The Monuments Men," starring Bill Murray, Matt Damon and Oscar-winning Cate Blanchett, among others, which earned $4.9 million.
The latest incarnation of cult classic "Robocop" was in sixth spot, with $4.5 million. Set in 2028 Detroit, it tells the story of a policeman injured in the line of duty, returning to the force as part-man, part-robot.
Seventh was "Pompeii," with $4.3 million, about a lovelorn slave-turned-gladiator in 79 AD.
It was followed by Disney smash and animated Oscar winner "Frozen," with $3.6 million, loosely based on a Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale.
"Frozen" has had ticket sales of $388.8 million since its debut in late November.
Rounding out the 10 most popular movies in the United States and Canada were "About Last Night" ($3.4 million) and  "Ride Along" ($3 million).
Source: AFP