It’s October, which means any and every horror movie released between now and Halloween is going to do well at the weekend box office. So the fact that SINISTER is pushing the $20 million mark should come as no surprise. What might be a little surprising is that Ben Affleck’s ARGO is close to hitting the same number since smart, witty dramas usually can’t compete with horror movies this time of year. Critics everywhere have been in love with Affleck’s latest directorial effort, meaning it should do well come awards season. Another telling sign at the weekend box office was the underperforming of Kevin James’ newest film HERE COMES THE BOOM. Maybe America is finally falling out of love with his ridiculous films. I find Kevin James to be an odd star since he has a lot of fans, but even the die-hard James supporters can’t stomach his films. The other two new films of the weekend, SEVEN PSYCHOPATHS and ATLAS SHRUGGED PART 2 managed to barely cracked the top ten, but that might change as they increase their screen presence. And given how poorly ATLAS SHRUGGED performed, the sequel should just be grateful it got made in the first place.
Next week sees the release of ALEX CROSS, featuring a non-cross-dressing Tyler Perry, which will be interesting to see. We also get the horror film PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 4, which will have to prove the series hasn’t run its course. My money is on the fourth installment of the Paranormal franchise to finish in the top spot since people love being scared close to Halloween. Note: the numbers below will be updated as they become final.
1. Taken 2 $22.5m
2. Argo $20.1m
3. Sinister $18.2m
4. Hotel Transylvania $17.3m
5. Here Comes the Boom $12m
6. Pitch Perfect $9.3m
7. Frankenweenie $7m
8. Looper $6.3m
9. Seven Psychopaths $4.2m
10. The Perks of Being a Wallflower $2.1m
11. Atlas Shrugged Part 2 $1.7m
(Deadline)
