SUBMITTED BY pimpjoe_esb

April 2, 2006 — The animated sequel "Ice Age: The Meltdown" registered the biggest opening of the year at the North American box office, selling an estimated $70.5 million worth of tickets during its first three days, distributor 20th Century Fox said on Sunday.

The opening exceeded the News Corp.-owned studio's expectations of about $55 million. Its 2002 predecessor, "Ice Age," opened with $46 million, and went on to earn $176 million. The sequel, which features the voices of Ray Romano and John Leguizamo as prehistoric creatures, cost about $80 million to make, Fox said.

Until "Ice Age: The Meltdown," the biggest three-day opening this year had been recorded by the comedy "Madea's Family Reunion," with $30 million in February.

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