Weekend box office
Jackass 3-D opens big
LOS ANGELES, Calif.—"Jackass 3-D'' rocketed to an opening weekend that is much larger than analysts' expectations, and will become the highest-grossing October release ever with a $50 million estimated take.
Hollywood.com analyst Paul Dergarabedian said the third installment in the "Jackass'' genre had "a massive, much bigger-than-expected opening...''
The Paramount release had the best debut since "Inception'' opened last July, he said.
"Red,'' a spy film with an ensemble cast of experienced actors, including Ernest Borgnine, opened in second place with a $22.5 million estimate from its studio, Summit.
In third and fourth places were a pair of movies that showed remarkable staying power and little drop-off from the previous week, Hollywood.com said.
"The Social Network'' is estimated to gross $11 million this weekend, for a three-week gate of $63.1 million for Sony.
"Secretariat'' will sell $9.5 million worth of entrance stubs this weekend, for a two-week receipt of $27.5 million for Disney.
Rounding out the 10 most-popular films in the United States this weekend, as estimated by the studios and compiled by Hollywood.com, are:
"Life As We Know It'' $9.2 million, "Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoolie''
$4.2 million, "The Town'' $4 million, "My Soul To Take'' $3.2 million, "Easy A'' $2.7 million, and
"Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps'' $2.4 million.
LOS ANGELES, Calif.—A romantic comedy and a racehorse drama had strong showings at the nation's movie theaters, but they couldn't unseat "The Social Network'' from the top spot at the box office, according to final figures released today.
The dramatic tale of the founding of Facebook earned $15.5 million between Friday and Sunday to lead the box office for the second straight week, according to Hollywood.Com Box-Office. The film has earned $46 million in its two weeks of release.
LOS ANGELES, Calif.—"Saw 3-D'' scared up the most bucks at the weekend box office.
The latest installment in the "Saw'' fright flick franchise sold an estimated $24.2 million during its debut weekend, according to ticket tracker Hollywood.com.
Another scary movie sequel, "Paranormal Activity 2,'' came in second, with an estimated $18.5 million in sales.
The action comedy "Red'' came in third, with a projected take of $10.8 million.
Rounding out the top 10:
LOS ANGELES, Calif.—"Paranormal Activity 2'' surprised Hollywood with a $41.5 million opening weekend.
"Jackass 3-D'' held on to second place, despite a 57 percent drop in ticket sales from its smash debut last weekend. The film is estimated to make $21.6 million this weekend.
"Red'' was in third place with $15 million this weekend.
The Clint Eastwood movie, "Hereafter,'' moved from limited to general showings this weekend, and is expected to gross $12 million in receipts to the $320,000 it took in last weekend.
LOS ANGELES, Calif.—The animated superhero comedy "Megamind'' soared at theaters over the weekend, easily defeating two other debut films to land atop the box office, according to final figures released today.
Featuring the voices of Will Ferrell, Tina Fey and Brad Pitt, "Megamind'' earned $46 million in its opening weekend, according to Hollywood.Com Box-Office.
LOS ANGELES, Calif.—"Megamind'' is having a 30 mega-dollar weekend, and holds down the number one spot at the box office today. The Will Ferrell/Brad Pitt/Tina Fey-voiced cartoon is from Paramount and Dreamworks Animation.
Fox's "Unstoppable'' opened as the number two movie, with an estimated $23.5 million in ticket sales, according to Hollywood.com.
The Warner Bros. comedy "Due Date'' holds down the number three spot, with a $15.6 million gross. It is on track to pull in $59 million over two weeks.
