SIGNS OF LIFE AT BOX OFFICE

Signs, starring Mel Gibson as a farmer who finds mysterious patterns marking his fields, ran circles around the competition, taking in $60.3 million, according to studio estimates Sunday.

Signs marked the best ever opening for both Gibson and the film's writer-director, M. Night Shyamalan. Shyamalan also directed Sixth Sense and Unbreakable.

Three low-budget films opened to modest takes. The Master of Disguise eked out third place in a market crowded with family films, taking in $13 million.

In fourth place, Martin Lawrence Live: Runteldat opened to $7.5 million. The film follows comedian Lawrence on a 2001 standup tour.

Steven Soderbergh's Full Frontal debuted with just $725,000. The comedy about a group of Los Angeles oddballs had been billed as a return to Soderbergh's low-budget roots honed more than a decade ago with sex, lies and videotape.

Austin Powers in Goldmember, the third installment in the spoof series, slipped to the No. 2 spot in its second week of release, making $32.4 million for a total of $143 million. The film is the 11th release this year to pass the $100 million mark.

My Big Fat Greek Wedding continued its strong showing, climbing to eighth place from 10th last weekend. The comedy has made $40 million since debuting 16 weeks ago as it moves up the chart and adds theaters.