Sony Pictures’ “The Pink Panther” was found in the top spot at the boxoffice during the weekend as the return of the well-known Inspector Clouseau, with Steve Martin stepping into the shoes of the inimitable Peter Sellers, sleuthed an estimated $21.7 million. The PG-rated comedy, produced by MGM and directed by Shawn Levy, is the third Sony film this year to open at No. 1. New Line Cinema’s “Final Destination 3″ was caught in the second spot with an estimated $20.1 million. The R-rated sequel had the best opening of the franchise to date, topping the second film’s $16 million debut. James Wong, who directed the first “Final Destination,” returned to direct the third installment of the horror franchise, which stars Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Ryan Merriman and Texas Battle.

Altogether, the four new wide releases this weekend appealed to various demographic groups and took a hit at the boxoffice from punishing snowstorms in the northeastern U.S. The start of the Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy, also might have captured a few eyes. But overall, for the first six weeks of the year it marked the fifth up weekend compared with 2005.