David Germain
The Associated Press

LOS ANGELES - Critics called it a bad date movie, but How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days courted movie-goers to the tune of $24.1 million in its first weekend for a No. 1 debut.

The martial-arts action comedy Shanghai Knights opened in second place with $19.8 million, according to studio estimates Sunday.

The musical Chicago, which tripled its theater count to 1,841 cinemas, climbed to No. 3 with $10.7 million, lifting its total to $63.7 million since opening in limited release at Christmas.

The previous weekend's top movie, the spy thriller The Recruit, fell to fourth place with $9.5 million.

The weekend's other new wide release, the romantic comedy Deliver Us From Eva starring LL Cool J, was No. 6 with $7.1 million.

It was a strong weekend overall, with the top 12 movies grossing $103.1 million, up 22 percent from the same weekend last year.

How to Lose a Guy stars Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey in a romance of deception between a woman trying to get dumped in 10 days to research a magazine column and a man trying to win a bet that he can make a woman fall in love with him in 10 days. How to Lose a Guy should hold well with Valentine's Day coming this weekend, " Rob Friedman, vice chairman of Paramount's motion picture group, which released the romantic comedy, said. "I think we'll have more guys seeing the movie this weekend than last."

Shanghai Knights, Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson's followup to their mini-hit Shanghai Noon, features the mismatched buddies on a mission in London. Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at North American theaters, according to Exhibitor Relations Co. Inc.

1. How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, $24.1 million.

2. Shanghai Knights, $19.8 million.

3. Chicago, $10.7 million.

4. The Recruit, $9.5 million.

5. Final Destination 2, $8.7 million.

6. Deliver Us From Eva, $7.1 million.

7. Kangaroo Jack, $5.9 million.

8. Biker Boyz, $4 million.

9. Darkness Falls, $3.8 million.

10. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, $3.4 million.