Los Angeles ? The creature-feature “Cloverfield” became the first monster hit released in 2008, debuting with $41 million, a record opening for January, according to studio estimates Sunday.

Paramount’s tale of a giant reptile causing chaos in New York City surpassed the $35.9 million premiere weekend of the “Star Wars” special edition in 1997, the previous best for January.

Opening in second place was 20th Century Fox’s romantic comedy “27 Dresses,” starring Katherine Heigl as a perpetual bridesmaid. It pulled in $22.4 million.

The weekend’s other new wide release, Overture Films’ crime comedy “Mad Money,” with Diane Keaton, Queen Latifah and Katie Holmes plotting a Federal Reserve Bank heist, opened at No. 7 with $7.7 million.

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Media By Numbers LLC. Final figures will be released Tuesday.

1. “Cloverfield,” $41 million.

2. “27 Dresses,” $22.4 million.

3. “The Bucket List,” $15.2 million.

4. “Juno,” $10.3 million.

5. “National Treasure: Book of Secrets,” $8.1 million.

6. “First Sunday,” $7.8 million.

7. “Mad Money,” $7.7 million.

8. “Alvin and the Chipmunks,” $7 million.

9. “I Am Legend,” $5.1 million.

10. “Atonement,” $4.8 million.