By Deena Beasley

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The Jodie Foster thriller "Panic Room" had moviegoers racing to the box office over the weekend, making it the biggest Easter holiday film opening of all time, according to preliminary figures on Sunday.

The suspense tale about a recently divorced mother and her daughter hiding from burglars in a concrete-and-steel encased room in their New York City home debuted at No. 1 with ticket sales estimated at $30.2 million for Friday through Sunday.

That surpassed 1999's "The Matrix," which at $27.8 million had held the previous record for an Easter weekend opening. "Panic Room" also marks the best opening for Foster's career, surpassing "Contact," which debuted with $20.2 million, according to Jeff Blake, president of international marketing for Sony Pictures Entertainment, which released the movie.

"I think what really was the key to its success was that it was a full meal for adults and younger viewers. David Fincher directing and Jodie Foster starring gave the movie a great pedigree for adults but played as a really exciting thriller for younger viewers," Blake said.

The animated adventure "Ice Age" held on to the No. 2 spot in its third weekend with $18.6 million from 3,333 theaters, according to 20th Century Fox. It has so far grossed a total of $117.3 million.

"The Rookie," another new movie, came in third with receipts of $15.8 million. Dennis Quaid stars in the family-oriented Disney film about a Texas high school baseball coach who lands a major league pitching job.

The action-thriller sequel "Blade II," a martial arts-themed film from New Line Cinema starring Wesley Snipes as a half-vampire superhero, slipped to No. 4 from its No. 1 opening spot last weekend, grossing $13.2 million.

WATCHING THE WORLD STOP

"Clockstoppers," another debut film, grossed $10.1 million to rank No. 5. The film, released by Paramount Pictures, is a science-fiction adventure about a young teen who finds an unusual watch that makes the rest of the world appear as if it has stopped.

The 20th anniversary reissue of Steven Spielberg's sci-fi fantasy "E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial" slipped to No. 6 with receipts of $6.1 million after opening at No. 3 last weekend. The film was released by Universal Pictures.

"Death to Smoochy," a dark comedy from Warner Bros. Pictures starring Robin Williams, brought in $4.3 million to debut at No. 7.

The Academy Award winner for best picture, the Russell Crowe drama "A Beautiful Mind," moved back up to No. 8 from No. 9 to bring its cumulative box office gross to $161 million since its late-2001 release.

"The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring," edged over the $300 million mark. After adding $2.3 million to its tally over the weekend, the fantasy film has earned $301.2 million.

The top 12 films grossed $114.4 million collectively, according to box office tracking firm Exhibitor Relations. That figure is down 3 percent from last weekend, but up 39 percent from the same weekend a year ago.

Reuters/Variety

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Following are the final data for the top 10 movies at the North American box office during the March 29-31 weekend, according to studio figures released Monday by Exhibitor Relations Co. Inc.

Film Three-day Cumulative

Title Gross Gross

1. Panic Room .......... $30,056,751

BOX OFFICE SO FAR: $30,056,751

2. Ice Age .......... $18,135,449

BOX OFFICE SO FAR: $116,862,514

3. The Rookie .......... $16,021,684

BOX OFFICE SO FAR: $16,021,684

4. Blade II .......... $13,021,698

BOX OFFICE SO FAR: $54,921,131

5. Clockstoppers .......... $10,108,333

BOX OFFICE SO FAR: $10,108,333

6. E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial .......... $6,163,305

BOX OFFICE SO FAR: $24,294,365

7. Death to Smoochy .......... $4,266,463

BOX OFFICE SO FAR: $4,266,463

8. A Beautiful Mind .......... $3,884,455

BOX OFFICE SO FAR: $160,844,681

9. We Were Soldiers .......... $3,723,298

BOX OFFICE SO FAR: $67,601,100

10. Showtime .......... $3,532,984

BOX OFFICE SO FAR: $33,300,131

Reuters/Variety

John L: