Paranormal Activity 2 delivered the highest-grossing opening weekend ever for a supernatural horror movie, while the other new supernaturally-themed entry, Hereafter, had a quieter launch. Overall business was up nearly 12 percent from the same weekend last year, when the first Paranormal Activity led.
Haunting approximately 4,500 screens at 3,216 locations, Paranormal Activity 2 drew an estimated $41.5 million, topping The Grudge's $39.1 million for supernatural supremacy in first weekend gross. The horror sequel displayed better staying power than the oft-compared Blair Witch movies: it's already retained 38 percent of its predecessor's $107.9 million gross, while Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2's total retention of The Blair Witch Project was a mere 19 percent. The first Paranormal Activity opened nearly 13 months ago but had a slow roll-out into nationwide release. It peaked at 2,712 locations and its biggest single day was $8.6 million, leading up to a $107.9 million final tally.
After a week of limited play, Hereafter expanded nationwide to close to 2,500 screens at 2,181 locations and grossed an estimated $12 million. Among comparable titles, that was less than The Lovely Bones' $17 million but greater than Changeling and Stir of Echoes.
True to its content, Jackass 3-D fell on its face in its second weekend, but, since its grosses have been at a high level, that still meant a solid estimated $21.6 million. It was down 57 percent, while the first Jackass dropped 44 percent and Jackass: Number Two tumbled 50 percent at the same point. Jackass 3-D's sum climbed to $87.1 million in ten days, flying past Number Two's $72.8 to become the highest grosser of the franchise (though it still has a ways to go to be tops in attendance). Again, 3D presentations accounted for around 90 percent of Jackass 3-D's business.
Red held well, off 31 percent to an estimated $15 million. The action comedy has posted $43.5 million in ten days, and it will soon surpass Cop Out's $44.9 million final total among similar titles.
Holdovers in general saw small drops. The Social Network showed more staying power, slowing 29 percent to an estimated $7.3 million for a $72.9 million tally in 24 days. Secretariat eased 26 percent to an estimated $7.3 million for a $37.4 million purse in 17 days, while Life as We Know It was close behind with an estimated $6.9 million for a $37.6 million 17-day sum, down 31 percent.
