Don't underestimate the power of God. Or Jim Carrey, for that matter. Carrey's latest comedy ''Bruce Almighty'' was downright Godlike at the box office, taking in $86.3 million this Memorial Day weekend, according to studio estimates, trouncing "The Matrix Reloaded" in the process.

''Almighty,'' about a TV reporter given holy powers, easily became Carrey's biggest opening ever, surpassing the $55.1 million three-day gross of "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" with $70.5 million. Certainly costar Jennifer Aniston helped bring in the bucks.

Plummeting from its $91.8 million debut, "The Matrix Reloaded" earned only $45.6 million in its second weekend. Looks like most "Matrix" fans turned out in the megasequel's first weekend. Despite the huge drop, "Reloaded" has now grossed $209.5 million, becoming the second-fastest film (behind "Spider-Man," of course) to cross the $200 mark.

"Daddy Day Care" and "X2: X-Men United" placed third and fourth with $18 and $13 million respectively, in front of the Michael Douglas/Albert Brooks comedy "The In-Laws," which had trouble even breaking $10 million earning only $9.1 over the holiday weekend. This year, Jim Carrey was the country's comedic God.

You Might Also Like

• Movie Review Bruce Almighty (May 23, 2003) | Owen Gleiberman
• All About Bruce Almighty
• Analyze This Bringing God Down to Earth | Michael Sauter
• Movie News Here are the summer movie box office winners (Jun 27, 2003)
• Movie News A look inside summer's bizarro box office results (Jun 27, 2003) | Joshua Rich
• In the News Here are the year's top movies...so far (Apr 11, 2003) | Gary Susman