What's turning out to be an October for the record books continues to thrive with the second movie to open over $30 million, as filmmaker
Spike Jonze's take on Maurice Sendak's
Where the Wild Things Are opened with approximately $32.7 million in 3,735 theaters including IMAX screens, surpassing some expectations but not all. With a solid average of $8,693 per site, the film benefitted from a solid marketing campaign and praise from critics that made it apparent that it was far more than just a kiddie film, and in just three days, it is the auteur director's biggest theatrical take so far.
Opening solidly in second place, the Gerard Butler-Jamie Foxx thriller
Law Abiding Citizen (
Overture Films) grossed roughly $21.2 million in 2,890 theaters, also bringing in audiences with its strong marketing campaign. It marks the largest opening for the fledgling two year old distributor whose biggest hit previously was the Robert De Niro and Al Pacino crime-thriller
Righteous Kill last year.
Oren Peli's low budget ghost movie
Paranormal Activity (Paramount) expanded into nationwide release in 760 theaters where it grossed $20.16 million for third place, scoring an impressive $26.5k per site, which is the 13th highest average for a wide release. The movie, which reportedly cost less than $15,000, has grossed over $33 million since opening in select cities on September 25. On Friday, the movie will expand into roughly 2,000 theaters where it's likely to continue its strong run due to the positive word-of-mouth.