10/9 Weekend Box Office Results

Couples Retreat exceeded industry (and my own) expectations this weekend pulling in right around 34 million. Despite poor reviews and mediocre audience response the comedy was marketable enough to draw big on its opening weekend. Long term the outlook isn’t as bright, but for a movie that reportedly cost 70 million to make it will end up in the black. For my review of Couples Retreat click here.

Even more remarkable than what Couples Retreat achieved, the ultra-low budget Paranormal Activity grossed 7 million from just 159 screens placing it fifth. Made for only $11,000  it is taking a path similar to the movie it is most compared to in The Blair Witch Project by rolling out slowly. It first opened in a couple college towns with midnight only shows and has now expanded to the 159 as buzz continues to build and the word of mouth makes it a must-see film.

Filling out the other three slots in the top five is Zombieland with 15 million, Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs with 12 million, and the Toy Story/2 double feature with 7.7 million.