Taking over the top spot at this weekend’s box office with a shocking $34 million, “Paul Blart: Mall Cop” is expected to reach $40 million over the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend.

With no special features or other purpose but to make you laugh, the Kevin James comedy, about an overweight and diabetic mall security guard, stunned analysts nabbing $33.8 million, according to studio estimates from Media By Numbers.

“It totally speaks to just how much audiences love Kevin James, No. 1, and how hard he worked to promote this film,” James has not only proven his value as Will Smith's side-kick in “Hitch” and Adam Sandler in “I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry,” with this film, he shows he can also be a reliable leading man.

The debut was $10 million more than projections as well as an impressive showing for star Kevin James, who anchored his first feature film.

Slipping on the second position was Clint Eastwood’s “Gran Torino” with $22.2 million, while Lionsgate's 3-D horror film “My Bloody Valentine” registered $21.9 million taking over the third spot from a mix of extra-dimensional and conventional playdates.

Fox Searchlight's hip-hop biopic "Notorious," based on the life and death of rapper Chris "Biggie" Wallace, a.k.a. Notorious B.I.G., fetched $21.5 million for a fourth-place ranking through Sunday, followed by the comedy “Hotel for Dogs,” which fetched $17.7 million.

Wrapping up the top ten was Oscar hopeful “Slumdog Millionaire,” which got a big boost from last week's Golden Globes win as best drama. The Danny Boyle film surged 56% over last weekend, taking $5.9 million. The $15 million movie has done $42.7 million.