NEW YORK (AP)

Director Tyler Perry is having no problem posting bail for the protagonist of his movie 'Madea Goes to Jail', which leads the box office with a US$41.1 million opening weekend.

Studio estimates yesterday showed it to be the highest-grossing film ever for both Perry and the film's studio, Lionsgate.

Since Perry's 2005 Diary of a Mad Black Woman, the actor-director-producer has frequently opened films strongly, despite little mainstream recognition.

The success of Madea Goes to Jail reinforces the notion that he draws the greatest reaction when he portrays his trademark, frumpily dressed grandmother-character, Madea.

Last weekend's top earner, Warner Bros' Friday the 13th, saw a steep drop in ticket sales. It took in US$7.8 million in its second weekend of release, down from US$43.6 million last weekend.