Box Office Surprise: "Paranormal Activity" Takes The #1 Spot This Weekend - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

JamesG · 10-26-2009, 12:06 AM

Weekend Report: Paranormal Rages, Saw Dulls
by Brandon Gray
October 25, 2009

As a new horror sensation rose, another fell over the weekend.

Paranormal Activity rolled out into more theaters and claimed the top spot, in part because the new releases were non-starters, including the latest movie in the usually reliable Saw franchise. Overall business was down 11 percent from last year, which featured the one-two punch of High School Musical 3: Senior Year and Saw V, but was still solid for the timeframe.

Jumping to approximately 2,500 screens at 1,945 sites (more than doubling last weekend's counts), Paranormal Activity raked in an estimated $22 million, and its total grew to $62.5 million in 31 days.

While still far from The Blair Witch Project, the supernatural horror movie is on track to becoming one of the higher grossing entries in its sub-genre and has already surpassed the final tallies of White Noise and The Haunting in Connecticut.

Saw VI had by far the most anemic start of its franchise, drawing an estimated $14.8 million on around 4,000 screens at 3,036 sites.

The previous low was the first movie, which opened at $18.3 million five years ago. The series has been on the wane since the peak of Saw II, but the latest movie still marks a dramatic fall from the previous one, Saw V, which debuted to $30.1 million.

At this point in the series, it's strictly for the fans, and the marketing, which simply announced the new movie with no new hooks or even a taste of the story, did Saw VI no favors in the face of the budding new competition for the fickle horror audience from Paranormal Activity.

The three other new nationwide releases fared worse than Saw VI.

Astro Boy mustered a mere estimated $7 million at 3,014 sites
Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant notched an estimated $6.3 million at 2,754 sites
and Amelia was grounded at an estimated $4 million at 818 sites.

Meanwhile, Where the Wild Things Are tumbled an alarming 56 percent, though Law Abiding Citizen and Couples Retreat held relatively steady.

Wild Things rustled up an estimated $14.4 million, lifting its total to $54 million in ten days, but its drop was much steeper than Bridge to Terabithia and other similar titles.

Law Abiding Citizen posted an estimated $12.7 million, down 40 percent for a $40.3 million tally in ten days, while Couples Retreat drew an estimated $11.1 million, off 36 percent for a $78.2 million tally in 17 days.

Yet again, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs had the smallest drop among non-expanding nationwide releases, easing 30 percent to an estimated $5.6 million for a Fall season-leading $115.2 million tally in 38 days.

http://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=2621&p=.htm

USA Weekend Box-Office Summary
week of 23 October 2009

1. Paranormal Activity $22,000,000 / $62,477,000
2. SAW VI $14,800,000
3. Where the Wild Things Are $14,420,000 / $53,960,000
4. Law Abiding Citizen $12,713,000 / $40,318,000
5. Couples Retreat $11,097,000 / $78,213,000
6. Astro Boy $7,017,000
7. The Stepfather $6,500,000 / $20,352,000
8. Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant $6,348,000
9. Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs $5,600,000 / $115,204,000
10. Zombieland $4,300,000 / $67,308,000

browneyes106 · 10-26-2009, 10:41 AM

I read about this yesterday on boxofficemojo. I was surprised too. I thought Saw VI would have done better than Paranormal Actvity. I wonder if it will do better next weekend because of Halloween. I got busy with stuff this weekened so I decided to wait to see Saw VI next weekend.

comedyfreak · 10-26-2009, 04:01 PM

I haven't seen many promo's for Saw, you'd think they would market the movie a little more.

PlayOn · 10-26-2009, 05:44 PM

I always thought 'Paranormal Activity' would do good. But, beating out 'Saw'? Talk about a mind blow.

JamesG · 10-26-2009, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by comedyfreak

I haven't seen many promo's for Saw, you'd think they would market the movie a little more.

I would agree with them over at BoxOfficeMojo in saying that at this point the franchise is strictly for the fans.

You know what SAW is by now; it's formula hasn't changed at all so fans would know what to be expecting.

browneyes106 · 10-27-2009, 11:46 AM

The Saw series will still probably continue. Those movies never have big production budgets. Even if Saw VI makes 30 to 40 million it will still be considered a success.

comedyfreak · 10-27-2009, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesG

I would agree with them over at BoxOfficeMojo in saying that at this point the franchise is strictly for the fans.

You know what SAW is by now; it's formula hasn't changed at all so fans would know what to be expecting.

That's makes a lot of sense, never thought of it like that before.

JamesG · 10-27-2009, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by comedyfreak

That's makes a lot of sense, never thought of it like that before.

Yeah, and also since the franchise is not a big-scale production the fans would be all that is needed to make it a success.

10-26-2009, 04:01 PM	#3
comedyfreak Cheers! Forum Fanatic Join Date: Dec 14, 2005 Location: Sunny California Posts: 11,060	I haven't seen many promo's for Saw, you'd think they would market the movie a little more.
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10-26-2009, 05:44 PM	#4
PlayOn ADHD: what I have not who I am Senior Member Join Date: Jun 17, 2006 Location: I'll never tell. :p Posts: 2,745	I always thought 'Paranormal Activity' would do good. But, beating out 'Saw'? Talk about a mind blow.
	__________________ Have you heard the ? Jesus saves!!!

10-26-2009, 12:06 AM	#1
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 57,127	Box Office Surprise: "Paranormal Activity" Takes The #1 Spot This Weekend *Weekend Report: Paranormal* Rages, Saw Dulls** by Brandon Gray October 25, 2009 As a new horror sensation rose, another fell over the weekend. Paranormal Activity rolled out into more theaters and claimed the top spot, in part because the new releases were non-starters, including the latest movie in the usually reliable Saw franchise. Overall business was down 11 percent from last year, which featured the one-two punch of High School Musical 3: Senior Year and Saw V, but was still solid for the timeframe. Jumping to approximately 2,500 screens at 1,945 sites (more than doubling last weekend's counts), Paranormal Activity raked in an estimated $22 million, and its total grew to $62.5 million in 31 days. While still far from The Blair Witch Project, the supernatural horror movie is on track to becoming one of the higher grossing entries in its sub-genre and has already surpassed the final tallies of White Noise and The Haunting in Connecticut. Saw VI had by far the most anemic start of its franchise, drawing an estimated $14.8 million on around 4,000 screens at 3,036 sites. The previous low was the first movie, which opened at $18.3 million five years ago. The series has been on the wane since the peak of Saw II, but the latest movie still marks a dramatic fall from the previous one, Saw V, which debuted to $30.1 million. At this point in the series, it's strictly for the fans, and the marketing, which simply announced the new movie with no new hooks or even a taste of the story, did Saw VI no favors in the face of the budding new competition for the fickle horror audience from Paranormal Activity. The three other new nationwide releases fared worse than Saw VI. Astro Boy mustered a mere estimated $7 million at 3,014 sites Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant notched an estimated $6.3 million at 2,754 sites and Amelia was grounded at an estimated $4 million at 818 sites. Meanwhile, Where the Wild Things Are tumbled an alarming 56 percent, though Law Abiding Citizen and Couples Retreat held relatively steady. Wild Things rustled up an estimated $14.4 million, lifting its total to $54 million in ten days, but its drop was much steeper than Bridge to Terabithia and other similar titles. Law Abiding Citizen posted an estimated $12.7 million, down 40 percent for a $40.3 million tally in ten days, while Couples Retreat drew an estimated $11.1 million, off 36 percent for a $78.2 million tally in 17 days. Yet again, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs had the smallest drop among non-expanding nationwide releases, easing 30 percent to an estimated $5.6 million for a Fall season-leading $115.2 million tally in 38 days. http://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=2621&p=.htm USA Weekend Box-Office Summary *week of 23 October 2009* 1. Paranormal Activity $22,000,000 / $62,477,000 2. SAW VI $14,800,000 3. Where the Wild Things Are $14,420,000 / $53,960,000 4. Law Abiding Citizen $12,713,000 / $40,318,000 5. Couples Retreat $11,097,000 / $78,213,000 6. Astro Boy $7,017,000 7. The Stepfather $6,500,000 / $20,352,000 8. Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant $6,348,000 9. Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs $5,600,000 / $115,204,000 10. Zombieland $4,300,000 / $67,308,000

10-26-2009, 10:41 AM	#2
browneyes106 Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 01, 2008 Posts: 6,094	I read about this yesterday on boxofficemojo. I was surprised too. I thought Saw VI would have done better than Paranormal Actvity. I wonder if it will do better next weekend because of Halloween. I got busy with stuff this weekened so I decided to wait to see Saw VI next weekend.

10-27-2009, 11:46 AM	#6
browneyes106 Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 01, 2008 Posts: 6,094	The Saw series will still probably continue. Those movies never have big production budgets. Even if Saw VI makes 30 to 40 million it will still be considered a success.