Big Daddy's $41.5 million take was hot like a Tennessee Williams play. That's the 13th biggest opening weekend of all time, and a career best for Adam Sandler, beating The Waterboy's $39.4 million opening by $2.1 million. Now, will Big Daddy have the legs to beat that picture's $161.5 million total as well, or is its current position just like that of a cat on a hot tin roof? Stay tuned.

Several headlines have proclaimed Big Daddy as having the record opening for a non-sequel comedy. While true, this proclamation is really pushing it. Can't they just be content that its grosses lived up to its title? It sure seems like the press has been grasping at straws to find a record for every movie.

Meanwhile, the other pictures all fared as expected, except for The General's Daughter, whose solid 32% drop seemingly belied audiences' reaction.

Editor's Note: Articles published before 2001 were assigned and reported as box office briefings, not a full evaluation or analysis.