By Chris Kavan - 10/25/10 at 10:16 AM CT
Just a week after Jackass 3D broke all kinds of records, the horror sequel Paranormal Activity 2 has done the same. Helped by a massive $6.3 million midnight opening (breaking the record October record $2.5 million set by Jackass 3D and the R-rated opening record $4.55 million held by Watchmen) the film led with $41.5 million for the weekend, beating The Grudge's $39.1 million to hold supreme in the horror movie category.
Meanwhile, Clint Eastwood's foray into the supernatural territory could only muster up $12 million for fourth place - in line with Eastwood's The Changeling, but probably less than what was hoped for. A vague ad campaign couldn't have helped matters.
In second place was Jackass 3D, which dropped 57% but still made an additional $21.6 million and now at $87.1 million surged to become the top film in the franchise, though not in attendance thanks to higher ticket prices.
In third was the action-packed Red, dropping just 31% to take in $15 million. It should break the $50 million mark next week if it continues to hold up this well. Rounding out the top five was The Social Network, which added $7.3 million to its $72.9 million total and dropping only 29% from last week.
Secretariat and Life As We Know it came in the next two places and both managed to break the $37 million mark. Still clinging in the top 10 were The Town and Easy A.
The only new film opening in wide release is the newest Saw film. Still, with so many people out on Halloween, we'll see if it can still draw an audience and if Paranormal Activity 2 can hold off the advance.
