The what-if body switching comedy, 17 Again, won audiences over last weekend grossing $23.7 million on 4,200 screens at 3,255 sites. Similar to films like Freaky Friday (2003) and 13 Going on 30 (2004), the movie had the added drawing power of High School Musical's Zac Efron, who starred and clearly drew his fans, despite some lackluster reviews. This is Efron’s third highly successful film including Hairspray (2007) and High School Musical 3: Senior Year (2008). Exit polls show, 75 percent of the audience was female and 43 percent was under 18 years old, according to Warner Bros.

State of Play opened in second place, earning $14.1 million on 3,200 screens at 2,803 theaters. The debut was about average, but the highly regarded film with a star-studded cast was expected to do better. The film features a well-known cast including Russell Crowe, Ben Affleck, Rachel McAdams and Helen Mirren and tells the story of a scandal involving the murdered mistress of a Congressman.

The previous week’s winner, Hannah Montana: The Movie slid to third place grossing $12.7 million. It was down 61 percent but held up slightly better than Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus: Best of Both World’s Concert Tour (2008) after ten days, totaling $56.1 million, compared with Best of Both World’s 10-day total of $53.2 million.

Monsters vs. Aliens ranked fourth last weekend. It grossed $13.2 million. The 3D flick has had tremendous success earning a total of $162.7 million in four weeks. Its budget was a hefty $175 million, however, so it's yet to make a killing.

Fast & Furious was right behind, earning $11.8 million. The fourth installment of the franchise has grossed $136.2 million in 17 days.

Crank: High Voltage opened in sixth place last weekend at the box office. It grossed $7.0 million on 2,400 screens at 2,223 theaters. It did far worse that the first Crank (2006), which earned $10.5 million its opening weekend. It seems audiences may have gotten their fill the first time around, and the premise of action-star Jason Statham having an artificial heart that continues to beat only with jolts of electricity may have been a little too far-fetched.

Observe and Report starring Seth Rogen and Anna Faris had a 62 percent decrease from the previous weekend, earning $4.2 million for an $18.8 million total after 10 days. Rogen’s last project, Zack and Miri Make a Porno, did only slightly better at this point, with a 10-day total of $20.7 million.

The drama American Violet opened in limited release last weekend, earning $243,162 in 61 theaters. The story centers on a mother trying to prove her innocence after being falsely arrested on drug charges.

Also, the Mexican independent film, Sleep Dealer opened at 18 sites and earned $35,050. Check out our Inside Indiewood feature for the scoop on the unique-futuristic film.

—Jessica Delli Santi