Eugenio Derbez Movie 'Instructions Not Included' Scores Third Place at US Box Office

Eugenio Derbez's film "Instruction Not Included" has scored third place at the North American Box office.

The film has been the surprise hit of the early fall season after opening to $7 million in 347 theaters. This past weekend Lionsgate decided to expand the film to 717 venues bringing it to a wide release. The strategy seemed to work: the movie made $8 million and obtained the third spot at the box office. The film now has a total gross of $20 million and is expected to hit $40 million by the end of its theatrical run.

"Instructions Not Included" was financed through Pantelion and has become the company's biggest hit ever. Recent films produced by the studio include "La Casa de Mi Pade," "Girl in Progress," "From Prada to Nada" and "Saving Private Perez."

Derbez's movie tells the story of a man who has made a new life for himself and his daughter. However, his life unravels when his daughter's birth mother reappears.

The movie has scored mixed reviews and currently holds a 60 percent aggregate score on Rotten Tomatoes. Annlee Ellingson from the Los Angeles Times gave the movie three stars out of five and stated: "There's a lot of movie here with unexpected developments, held together by the irresistible chemistry between Derbez and his adorable pint-sized co-star."

Bill Goodykoontz of the Arizona Republic also enjoyed the movie. "'Instructions Not Included' is a sweet little movie that is more than it seems to be," wrote Goodykoontz.

However, Variety was unenthusiastic: "This sporadically amusing but unduly protracted dramedy devolves into a shameless tearjerker in its third act."

Lionsgate is distributing the movie, which is rated PG-13 for sexual content, thematic elements and language.