Money | Where the Wild Things Are Wild Things Runs Rampant Law Abiding Citizen also enjoys strong opening weekend By Marie Morris Posted Oct 18, 2009 1:48 PM CDT Copied In this film publicity image released by Warner Bros. Pictures, Max Records, portraying Max, right, is shown with the character Carol, voiced by James Gandolfini, in "Where the Wild Things Are." (AP Photo/Warner Bros. Pictures, Matt Nettheim) Where the Wild Things Are ran wild at the weekend box office, exceeding expectations by doing $32.5 million worth of business. Spike Jonze's first foray into children's cinema earned the director his strongest opening weekend ever. "I can't imagine too many people who could do what Spike did," an exec with distributor Warner Bros. tells USA Today. The live-action adaptation of Maurice Sendak's classic book topped Law Abiding Citizen, which also beat forecasts. The top five: Where the Wild Things Are, $32.5 million Law Abiding Citizen, $21.3 million Paranormal Activity, $20.2 million Couples Retreat, $17.9 million The Stepfather, $12.3 million Read These Next Norwegians are flabbergasted by Machado's Nobel giveaway. ICE arrests casino magnate in a remote US territory. John Mellencamp's little-known side gig: Indiana football fan. Pamela Anderson didn't love sitting near Seth Rogen at the Globes. Report an error