By David Germain
The Associated Press

Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore's romance 50 First Dates proved an irresistible draw for the Valentine's weekend date crowd, taking in $41 million to debut as the top movie, according to studio estimates Sunday.

If the estimates hold, it would be the second-biggest February opening ever, behind the $58 million debut of Hannibal in 2001.

The previous weekend's top film, Barbershop 2: Back in Business, slipped to second place with $15.6 million, bringing its 10-day total to $44.1 million.

The overall box office was down, with the top 12 movies grossing $107.8 million, off 13 percent from the same weekend last year.

50 First Dates was a reunion for Sandler and Barrymore, who starred in The Wedding Singer, which opened over Valentine's weekend in 1998.

With many people off work toda, 50 First Dates should come out of the long weekend about halfway to the $100 million level.

Though many critics trashed 50 First Dates, the movie earned its share of positive press, with some reviewers taken in by Sandler and Barrymore's chemistry.

Almost half of the audience was 25 or older, a more mature crowd than normal for Sandler.

"I think people were excited to see Adam and Drew paired up again," said Rory Bruer, Sony head of distribution. "And I think one thing I would say about Adam, he's just such a likable guy. He's just so accessible to all audiences. People can relate to him."

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at North American theaters, according to Exhibitor Relations Co. Inc. Final figures will be released Tuesday.

1. 50 First Dates, $41 million.

2. Barbershop 2: Back in Business $15.6 million.

3. Miracle, $14 million.

4. The Butterfly Effect, $5.7 million.

5. You Got Served, $5.1 million.

6. Along Came Polly, $5.08 million.

7. Catch That Kid, $4.35 million.

8. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, $4.15 million.

9. Cold Mountain, $3.7 million.

10. Mystic River, $3.55 million.