'Paranormal Activity' scares up $21.1 million at box office

October 27, 1:58 PMPhoenix Movie ExaminerJoseph J. Airdo

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PARAMOUNT PICTURES

Something was a bit supernatural this weekend at the box office – and not just because the top-earner is a strong contender for worst movie of 2009.

Paramount Pictures' horror flick “Paranormal Activity” conned its way into first-place for the first time since being released late last month. Earning about $21.1 million this weekend, the project has made about $61.1 million to date. Shot documentary-style, the movie tells the story of a young, middle class couple who moves into what seems like a typical suburban house. As time moves on, they become increasingly disturbed by a presence that may or may not be somehow demonic but is certainly most active in the middle of the night.

Meanwhile, the fifth installment of a series used to debuting in the No. 1 spot, opened to the franchise's lowest gross to date. Lionsgate Films' “Saw VI” earned about $14.1 million in second-place. Detective Hoffman (Costas Mandylor) emerges as the unchallenged successor to serial killer Jigsaw's (Tobin Bell) legacy in the grisly horror flick. As the FBI draws closer to Hoffman, he sets a game into motion thus finally revealing Jigsaw's grand scheme.

Filmmaker Spike Jonze cinematic adaptation of Maurice Sendak's classic book “Where the Wild Things Are,” which had debuted in the top spot last week, settled in at third-place. Earning about $14 million this weekend, Warner Bros. Pictures has made about $53.6 million from the movie thus far. The story follows the adventures of Max (Max Records), a head-strong young boy who leaves home after having a fight with his mother only to find himself in a mysterious forest bordering a vast sea. Misunderstood and rebellious, Max sets sail to the land of the Wild Things, where mischief reigns.

Overture Films' “Law Abiding Citizen,” fell two spots to fourth-place with about $12.4 million. It now has about $40 million in the bank. Clyde Shelton's (Gerard Butler) wife and daughter are brutally murdered during a home invasion in the thriller. When the killers receive a light sentence, the embittered man sets into motion a deadly series of events in hopes of forcing government leaders to fix the flawed justice system that failed his family. Prosecutor Nick Rice (Jamie Foxx) must outwit the brilliant sociopath in a harrowing contest of wills.

Universal Pictures' “Couples Retreat” slipped one place to No. 5 with about $10.6 million. Its new total comes to about $77.7 million. Vince Vaughn, Jason Bateman, Jon Favreau, Malin Akerman, Kristin Davis, Kristen Bell, Faizon Love and Kali Hawk star as four Midwestern couples who embark on a journey to a tropical island resort. However, when the couples discover that their fun in the sun comes with required participation in the resort's couples therapy, all of their dirty laundry is hung out to dry.

Although “Saw VI's” debut was far from stellar, it was the best of this weekend's new releases. Summit Entertainment's “Astro Boy,” Universal Pictures' “Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant” and Fox Searchlight Pictures' “Amelia” all fizzled on impact.

“Astro Boy,” an animated adventure that tells the story of a boy-robot's heroic quest to save everything – and everyone – he cares about, came in at No. 6 with about $6.7 million. “Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant,” a fantasy flick that follows a teenager's journey into immortality, earned about $6.3 million in seventh-place. And “Amelia,” a biopic starring Hilary Swank as the legendary aviatrix, mustered a mere $3.9 million at No. 11.

Rounding out this weekend's top 10 were Screen Gems' “The Stepfather” ($6.2 million), Sony Pictures Entertainment's “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” ($5.3 million) and Columbia Pictures' “Zombieland” ($4.2 million).

Box Office Results for Oct. 23-25, 2009

1. “Paranormal Activity,” $21.1 million

2. “Saw VI,” $14.1 million

3. “Where the Wild Things Are,” $14 million

4. “Law Abiding Citizen,” $12.4 million

5. “Couples Retreat,” $10.6 million

6. “Astro Boy,” $6.7 million

7. “Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant,” $6.3 million

8. “The Stepfather,” $6.2 million

9. “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs,” $5.3 million

10. “Zombieland,” $4.2 million

11. “Amelia,” $3.9 million

*Click movie titles for full reviews.