'Fifty Shades of Grey' Heats Up Box Office With Record-Setting Debut

— -- It's clear that many couples spent part of their Valentine's Day weekend watching "Fifty Shades of Grey" at their local theater.

The adaptation of the erotic novel by E.L. James earned an estimated $94.4 million over the four-day holiday weekend, according to Variety.

From Friday through Sunday, "Fifty Shades of Grey" earned an estimated $81.7 million, setting records for a Presidents' Day weekend and a Valentine's Day weekend. It was also the second-best debut ever for the month of February, trailing only "The Passion of the Christ," which opened in 2004 with $83.9 million.

"Fifty Shades of Grey," starring Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan, collected $158 million overseas over the weekend.

"Kingsman: The Secret Service" opened in second place at the domestic box office, raking in $42 million dollars over the four-day weekend.

Last week's top film, "The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water," finished in third place, with $40 million.