LOS ANGELES — Movie fans couldn't pass up three Eddie Murphys for the price of one.

Murphy's comedy "Norbit," in which he plays three wildly different roles, opened as the top weekend movie with $33.7 million, according to studio estimates Sunday.

The DreamWorks production easily beat the debut of the MGM-Weinstein Co. thriller "Hannibal Rising," a prequel about "The Silence of the Lambs" serial killer Hannibal Lecter that came in at No. 2 with $13.35 million.

Murphy had not had a starring role in a movie since 2003's "The Haunted Mansion," but "Norbit" benefited from huge acclaim and publicity he has received for "Dreamgirls," for which he is expected to win the supporting-actor Academy Award.

1. "Norbit," $33.7 million.

2. "Hannibal Rising," $13.35 million.

3. "Because I Said So," $9 million.

4. "The Messengers," $7.2 million.

5. "Night at the Museum," $5.75 million.

6. "Epic Movie," $4.45 million.

7. "Smokin' Aces," $3.8 million.