'Cinderella' fits into top US box office spot

The live action remake of animated-classic "Cinderella" had a nice fit in North American movie theatres, topping the list of estimated weekend ticket sales.

The Disney movie, featuring Lily James as enchanted princess Ella and Cate Blanchett as her cruel stepmother, took in $70 million.

Part of the draw for the critically well-received film was an animated short "Frozen Fever" that was shown with the film, a five minute add-on to another Disney princess smash-hit "Frozen."

Action flick "Run the Night," featuring grizzled tough-guy Liam Neeson playing a hit man going up against the mob to protect a son, took second on the charts hauling in an estimated $11 million in its debut weekend.

British spy comedy "Kingsman: The Secret Service," dropped in sales but moved up a spot in its fourth week in theatres taking in $6.2 million for the third box office spot.

"Focus," a con-artist flick featuring Will Smith as a crook who takes on a protege played by Margot Robbie had just over 5.8 million in estimated ticket sales for the fourth spot on the chart.

Artificial intelligence thriller "Chappie" had a long fall from its top-spot debut last week, taking in $5.8 million for fourth place despite a $13.3 million showing last week.

Sequel "The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel" featuring Judi Dench, Maggie Smith and Richard Gere, pulled in $5.7 million for the sixth spot.

"The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water," remained a presence on the box office charts, taking in $4.1 million in ticket sales in its fifth week on the charts for a total of $154.7 million.

Kevin Costner sport drama "McFarland, USA" the story of a small-town cross country team made up of immigrant students was eighth on the charts with $3.7 million in estimated sales.

Long-running hit "American Sniper" charged back into the top 10 box office films taking in $2.9 million in its eleventh week in theatres. This weekend's haul added more sales to the biggest hit of 2014, taking in $341.5 million overall.

"The Lazarus Effect," about medical students who discover a way to bring people back to life took the tenth spot with $2.82 million in sales.

Global box office for the weekend ending March 15:

1. Cinderella: $132.4M 2. Kingsman: The Secret Service: $19.9M 3. Chappie: $19.3M 4. Diversion: $13.3M 5. Night Run: $17.6M 6. Big Hero 6: $17.2M 7. Fifty Shades of Grey: $11.9M 8. American Sniper: $10.3M 9. Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel: $9.8M 10. Jupiter Ascending: $9.2M