JAKE COYLE, AP Film Writer
NEW YORK (AP) - "Cinderella" is the belle of the box office, where Disney's live-action fairy tale debuted with $70.1 million over the weekend at North American theaters, according to studio estimates Sunday.
The box office-topping opening added to a string of recent live-action successes for Disney like "Maleficent" and "Alice in Wonderland." Interest in "Cinderella," directed by Kenneth Branagh, was also boosted by a "Frozen" short that played before the feature.
The Liam Neeson, Ed Harris thriller "Run All Night" didn't have much gas at the box office. It opened with $11 million for Warner Bros., the weakest debut for Neeson as an action film star.
Last week's top film, the sci-fi thriller "Chappie," slid to fifth with $5.8 million.
