By Franck Tabouring
Weekend of October 31 – November 2, 2008
Walt Disney’s “High School Musical 3: Senior Year” clung to the No. 1 spot at the North American box office this weekend with $15 million in ticket sales, according to studio estimates Sunday.
Kenny Ortega’s third installment in the popular series dropped a few spots on Friday but regained momentum Saturday and Sunday to remain at the top of the chart, lifting its domestic total to $61.7 million after two weeks in theaters.
Debuting in second place with $10.6 million was Kevin Smith’s “Zack and Miri Make a Porno.” The comedy starring Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks focuses on two life-long friends who decide to make a porno in order to get rid of their increasing debt.
Following closely at No. 3 was David Hackl’s “Saw V,” which took home $10.1 million and brought its total gross to $45.8 million. The fifth installment in the “Saw” series is currently $17.4 million away from beating its predecessor, “Saw IV.”
After expanding to 1,850 theaters this weekend, Clint Eastwood’s drama “Changeling” jumped to fourth place with $9.4 million, reaching a total haul of 10 million after a two-week run. In the film, Angelina Jolie plays a mother who’s desperately looking for her missing son. 
Opening at No. 5 with $6 million was “The Haunting of Molly Hartley,” Mickey Liddell’s horror flick about a teenager who’s been hearing creepy voices and seeing weird things ever since her mother tried to murder her.
Meanwhile, “Beverly Hills Chihuahua” dropped to No. 6, collecting $4.7 million. The family adventure about a spoiled chihuahua lost in Mexico brought its cumulative gross to $84 million after five weeks in release.
Fox Searchlight’s “The Secret Life of Bees” earned $4 million this weekend at No. 7, lifting its domestic total to $25.2 million. At No. 8, “Max Payne” reached $35.5 million after weekend earnings of $3.7 million.
Two films rounded out the top 10: D.J. Caruso’s “Eagle Eye” at No. 9 with $3.4 million ($92.5 million total), and Gavin O’Connor’s crime drama “Pride and Glory” in tenth place with $3.2 million for a cume of 11.6 million.
Source: Box Office Mojo (www.boxofficemojo.com)