The film, which introduces disney dvd collection’s first African-American princess, has been playing in limited release since Nov. 25, a distribution maneuver aimed lost dvd at creating buzz. For months disney dvd ’s vaunted marketing engines have been working overtime: “Princess and the Frog” Halloween costumes, online games, the introduction of the movie’s heroine at Disney World.

The film — billed as a return to beloved animated musicals like Golden Girls dvd “The Little Mermaid” — is the company’s first hand-drawn release to receive the full attention of John Lasseter, the co-founthat 70s show dvdder of Pixar who became Disney’s chief creative officer in 2006. If Mr. Lasseter, widely viewed as an animation visionary, couldn’t return the genre to glory, Hollywood boston legal dvd figured, nobody could.

It is too early to say to what degree he succeeded. Initial ticket sales are on the soft side of indlost dvd box setustry expectations, but the movie has received mostly glowing critical notices. The picture is also likely to benefit from relatively light competitigilmore girls the complete serieson for the family audience through Christmas. The film’s ultimate success will also turn on itthe wire dvds ability to boost Disney’s princess merchandise, a $4 billion annual business.

Sales certainly improved on Dgilmore girls dvd box setisney’s last effort in the hand-drawn genre, which unspools more slowly than thethat 70s show dvd collections computer-generated variety: “Home on the Range” in 2004 opened to just $13.9 million.

“It’s really hard to get noticed in December, but once you get going, the movies just play and play and play,” said Chuck Viane, Disney’s president for domestic distribution, addingthe office dvd box set, “This is obviously a really good result.” He said adults unaccompanied by children made up 20 percent of the audience, double internal expectations.

In the film, directed by Ron Clements and John Musker, Tiana, a New Orleans waitress who dreams of owning a restaurthe office dvd seasonsant, is persuaded to kiss a frog who is really a prince. The spell backfires, and shegrey's anatomy dvd becomes a frog too.

Disney has been HOUSE MD DVD criticized for years for its lack of African-American royalty. Some black comgrey's anatomy dvd box setmentators attacked Disney’s handling of the movie’s characters and story early in the production procestar trek voyager the complete seriesss, but the finished movie has largely quieted critics worried about racial insensitivity.

“The Blind Side” (Alcon Entertainment) was second for the weekend with about $15.5 million, according to HollywONE TREE HILL DVD box setood.com, a box office tracking service. The movie has sold a total of $150.2 million so far.

“Invictus” (Warner) was third with about $9 million. The Oscar-touted picture, directed by Clint Eastwood and staONE TREE HILL DVDrring Matt Damon and Morgan Freeman, looks at how rugby helped unite an apartheid-torn South HOUSE MD DVD box set Africa.