Witch Mountain Wins Weekend

Blockbuster doesn't live up to opening-weekend projections

(NEWSER) - Who watches the Watchmen? Too few moviegoers to live up to box-office projections, says the Hollywood Reporter. The much-hyped flick earned only $55.7 million this weekend as Madea Goes to Jail locked in $8.8 million, Taken took $7.5 million, and Slumdog Millionaire kept riding its Oscar wave with $6.9 million. Watchmen’s long running time and R rating likely hurt its bottom line. More»

(NEWSER) - Monsters vs. Aliens battled its way to the top this weekend, grossing $58.2 million, Entertainment Weekly reports. A staggering $32.6 million of that total was from 3-D showings, helping the family flick best Watchmen as the year’s top opener. The Haunting in Connecticut scared up $23 million for second place, while Knowing ($14.7 million), I Love You, Man ($12.6 million), and Duplicity ($7.6 million) rounded out the top five. More»

(NEWSER) - Knowing knew what audiences wanted this weekend and grasped top spot with a $24.8 million haul, the Hollywood Reporter says. Buddy flick I Love You, Man bromanced to second with $18 million, while Duplicity made off with $14.4 million in third. Holdovers Race to Witch Mountain ($13 million) and Watchmen ($6.7 million) rounded out the top five. More»

Oscars help Slumdog to third

(NEWSER) - Madea Goes to Jail kept the Jonas Brothers at bay this weekend, Entertainment Weekly reports. Madea banked $16.5 million to the highly anticipated Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience's mere $12.7 million. Slumdog Millionaire enjoyed an Oscar boost, earning $12.2 million, while Taken continued its hot streak with $10 million. He’s Just Not That Into You wrapped up the top five with $5.9 million. More»

Thriller bumps Mall Cop from top spot

(NEWSER) - The CIA thriller Taken nabbed the box office title from Paul Blart: Mall Cop, simultaneously pushing Hollywood to its first billion-dollar January, reports AP. Taken, starring Liam Neeson as a former CIA operative pursuing kidnappers, pulled in $24.6 million on Super Bowl weekend—in which thrillers typically underperform because of a drop-off in male moviegoers, reports Variety. Mall Cop banked $14 million this weekend, bumping its total to $83.4 million. Horror flick The Uninvited debuted at No. 3 with $10.5 million. More»