Clint Eastwood‘s latest actor/director work, Gran Torino, topped the first competitive weekend of 2009 at the box office garnering $29 million according to today’s estimates.

That’s by far the highest single-weekend total of Eastwood’s esteemed six-decade Hollywood career. The film has been a hit since it debuted in limited release a month ago; this was its first frame playing wide. Its total domestic sum now stands at $40.1 mil. And, with a CinemaScore grade of A and possible Oscar nominations down the road, Gran Torino seems fueled and ready for a long ride through theaters.

Coming in second was Bride Wars with $21.5 million, followed by The Unborn with $21.1 million. Marley & Me and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button finished in 4th and 5th.

[image: EW]