WEEKEND BOX OFFICE

As predicted last week, Paranormal Activity 2, the sequel to last year's hit film, was the number one movie at the box office. The film took in about $41.5 million in its opening weekend, surpassing its modest $3 million budget and earning a profit of about $38.5 million. With the Halloween weekend upon us, it only make sense that Saw 3D, the seventh chapter in the popular horror franchise, would open at the top spot and bump last week's number one to second place.

Debuting at number one this Halloween weekend is the seventh and final chapter in the extremely successful horror film franchise, Saw. Saw 3D stars Tobin Bell (In the Line of Fire), Costas Mandylor (Soapdish), Betsy Russell (Chain Letter), Sean Patrick Flanery (The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day) and Cary Elwes (The Princess Bride). The movie made $8,013 on each of its 2,808 screens for an opening weekend total of about $22.5 million, which earns back its entire $20 million production budget.

Dropping one place from last week to number two is the sequel to last year's extremely popular psychological horror film, Paranormal Activity, Paranormal Activity 2 starring Katie Featherston. While the movie dropped nearly 59.4% from last week, it was added in twenty-three theaters, earning $5,094 on each of its 3,239 screens for a weekend total of about $16.5 million. Now in just two weeks the movie has made $65 million, which far surpasses its $3 million production budget earning a profit of roughly $62 million.

Holding on to the number three position for the second week in a row is the new action-comedy Red. The movie is based on the graphic novel by Warren Ellis and stars an all-star cast that includes Emmy winners Bruce Willis (Live Free or Die Hard) and Mary-Louise Parker (Red Dragon), Oscar winners Morgan Freeman (The Dark Knight), Helen Mirren (National Treasure: Book of Secrets), Richard Dreyfuss (Jaws) and Ernest Borgnine (Escape From New York), Oscar nominee John Malkovich (Jonah Hex), Karl Urban (Star Trek), Julian McMahon (Fantastic Four) and Brian Cox (X2: X-Men United). While the movie dropped nearly 28.1% from last week, it was added in seventy-six theaters, earning $3,228 on each of its 3,349 screens for a weekend total of about $10.8 million. Now in just three weeks the movie has made $58.9 million, just barely earning back its entire $58 million production budget.

Falling two places from last week to number four is the third installment of the film adaptation of the popular MTV reality series Jackass, Jackass 3D. In the film, Johnny Knoxville (The Dukes of Hazzard) returns for punishment along with his friends Bam Margera, Steve-O, Chris Pontius and Jason Acuña. While the movie dropped nearly 60.5% from last week, it was added in twenty-eight theaters, earning $2,684 on each of its 3,139 screens for a weekend total of about $8.4 million. Now in just three weeks the movie has already made $101.5 million, surpassing its $20 million production budget and earning a profit of over $80 million.

Rounding off the top five this week and dropping one spot from last week is the new film from Oscar winning director Clint Eastwood (Gran Torino) called Hereafter. The film stars Matt Damon (The Bourne Identity), Bryce Dallas Howard (Spider-Man 3) and Jay Mohr (Go). While the movie dropped nearly 47.4% from last week, it was added in 243 theaters, earning $2,607 on each of its 2,424 screens for a weekend total of about $6.3 million. Now in just three weeks the movie has only made $22.1 million, falling short of earning back its entire $50 million production budget.

Doing well in limited release this week is the new independent drama, Welcome to the Rileys, which stars Kristen Stewart (The Twilight Saga: Eclipse), James Gandolfini (The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3) and Oscar nominee Melissa Leo (Frozen River). The movie only opened on ten screens but made $4,500 on each, for an opening weekend total of about $45,000.

Also doing well in limited release is the new British science-fiction film, Monsters, which stars Whitney Able (All the Boys Love Mandy Lane) and Scoot McNairy (Bobby). The movie only opened on three screens but made $7,000 on each, for an opening weekend total of about $21,000.

Next week will see the opening of three highly anticipated new films in wide release and three in limited release.

First up is the new super-hero themed animated family film MegaMind, which stars Will Ferrell (The Other Guys), Tina Fey (Baby Mama), Jonah Hill (Superbad) and Brad Pitt (Troy).

Also opening next week is Tyler Perry's (Why Did I Get Married Too?) latest drama, For Colored Girls. The film stars an amazing cast of actresses which includes Janet Jackson (Nutty Professor II: The Klumps), Thandie Newton (Mission: Impossible 2), Kerry Washington (Mother and Child), Anika Noni Rose (The Princess and the Frog), Kimberly Elise (Set It Off), Loretta Devine (Death at a Funeral), Phylicia Rashad (The Cosby Show) and Oscar winner Whoopi Goldberg (Ghost).

Finally, opening in wide release next week is the new movie from Old School director Todd Phillips, entitled Due Date. The road trip comedy stars an excellent cast of actors including Robert Downey Jr. (Iron Man 2), Zach Galifianakis (The Hangover), Juliette Lewis (Natural Born Killers), Michelle Monaghan (Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang) and Oscar winners Jamie Foxx (Ray) and Alan Arkin (Little Miss Sunshine).

Opening in limited release next week is the latest film from Oscar winning Slumdog Millionaire director Danny Boyle called 127 Hours. The film is based on the true story of a mountain climber who was forced to cut off his own arm in order to survive. The film stars James Franco (Milk) in the lead role and also features Amber Tamblyn (The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2) and Lizzy Caplan (Hot Tub Time Machine).

Also opening in limited release next week is Jumper director Doug Liman's new film, Fair Game, based on the true story of the CAA spy who's cover was blown by the Bush administration. The political thriller stars Naomi Watts (King Kong) and two-time Oscar winner Sean Penn (Milk, Mystic River).

Finally, opening in limited release next week is the new Australian thriller Red Hill, which stars Ryan Kwanten (True Blood, Legend of The Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole), Tommy Lewis (The Proposition), Steve Bisley (Mad Max) and Claire van der Boom (The Square). So please check back in seven days to see who comes out on top at the box office next week!