Box Office: Will Smith's 'Focus' Wins Friday for $20M U.S. Debut

Will Smith and Margot Robbie's R-rated romantic caper Focus is easily winning the box-office race in North America ahead of ruling champion Fifty Shades of Grey, which has topped the box office since Presidents Day weekend.

The Warner Bros. film grossed $6.5 million Friday from 3,323 theaters for a projected $20 million debut. Heading into the weekend, tracking suggested Focus would take in $22 million to $24 million.

Focus, earning a B CinemaScore, is the first test of Smith's star power since Sony's tentpole After Earth, which bombed in summer 2013 after opening to just $27.5 million. Focus is a much smaller film than a usual Smith tentpole, having cost $50 million to make after rebates.

Directed by Glenn Ficarra and John Requa, Focus is also opening in a number of markets overseas this weekend, boosting its bottom line.

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