The Paramount action comedy is off to a good start, but the $55 million overall weekend total is the worst for March since 1996

Five new movies opened in wide release in North American theaters this weekend. And yet it's likely going to be the lowest-grossing of the year to date.

Jack Quaid-led action movie Novocaine takes the top spot at the domestic box office in debut weekend, knocking Mickey 17 down a peg.

"Novocaine" is off to a good start at the box office with an estimated $8.5 million opening weekend, but the marketplace is in a terrible slump.

Paramount’s Novocaine made $1.75M in previews — but that’s not just from last night, rather advance screenings from last weekend as well. The R-rated action comedy, which cost a net $18M before P&A, is expected to lead the box office with anywhere from $8M-$12M,

When final receipts are tallied Monday, it’s likely going be the lowest-grossing weekend of the year to date with around $54 million in total ticket sales.

Paramount Pictures’ action-comedy Novocaine, starring Jack Quaid, claimed the No. 1 spot at the weekend box office with a modest $8.7 million debut. The film, about a man who feels no physical pain, fell below early projections of $10 million despite earning $1.5 million from Thursday previews.

Action-comedy “Novocaine” topped the box office in a weekend that saw five movies open widely in North America in which none set ticket sales on fire. “Novocaine,” featuring Jack Quaid as a man who can’t feel pain,