The big-screen adaptation of 'Fifty Shades of Grey' tops box office charts and sweeps $81.7 million USD from more than 3,000 theaters in only three days following its debut on Valentine's Day.

It looks like moviegoers are very curious about the erotic phenomenon that is 'Fifty Shades of Grey', earning an estimated amount of $81.7 million USD following its sizzling debut in theaters. The film, which stars Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan as the iconic characters Ana Steele and Christian Grey, became the second-highest-grossing February debut after 'Passion of the Christ' which earned $83.9 million USD on its opening in 2004.

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'Fifty Shades of Grey', the first installment in the trilogy based on the novel written by E.L. James, is expected to make it to the $90 million mark by the end of the four-day holiday weekend.

According to media reports, the Sam Taylor-Johnson film adaptation has already earned around $158 million USD in 58 territories which makes it the second biggest international film debut for Universal, just taking the spot after 'Fast & Furious 6'. The controversial erotic film has also garnered the top spot for the highest-earning R-rated film ever in terms of international opening.

The box office hit cost an amount of $40 million USD to produce, a modest sum for a chart-topping film.

Coming in at second is Director Matthew Vaughn's 'Kingsman: The Secret Service' which earned an estimated $35.6 million USD from 3,000 plus locations. The R-rated comic book-based film, which stars A-list Hollywood actor Samuel L. Jackson and Colin Firth, cost $81 million USD to produce and must earn another $41 million USD by the time the four-day holiday weekend is over.

The animated film 'The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water' also made it to the top three with $30.5 million USD in its second week following its debut.

Other films that made it into the top 10 include Oscar-nominated 'American Sniper', 'Jupiter Ascending' and 'Seventh Son'.

Tags50 shades of grey, Dakota Johnson, Jamie Dornan