'Cloudy' sequel tops weekend box office.

• Author: Lang, Derrik J.
• Position: Living

Byline: Derrik J. Lang

LOS ANGELES -- ''Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2'' slurped up the box office.

The animated Sony sequel featuring the voices of Bill Hader and Anna Faris opened in first place and earned $35 million in its debut weekend, according to studio estimates Sunday.

The original ''Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs'' was showered with $30.3 million during its opening weekend in 2009.

''It's remarkable that it did as well as and surpassed the first film,'' said Rory Bruer, head of distribution for Sony Pictures. ''The filmmakers really ratcheted it up in terms of palette and tone. It's one of those films that just draws you in. The story is fun, and there's something for the whole family.''

Last week's top film, ''Prisoners,'' slid to second place. The Warner Bros. kidnapping thriller starring Hugh Jackman and Jake Gyllenhaal made $11.2 million in its second weekend, bringing its total domestic haul to $38.9 million.

Universal's Formula One tale ''Rush,'' directed by Ron Howard and starring Chris Hemsworth, drove into the third position with $10.3...