'Despicable Me' rules overseas box office

"Despicable Me" is a big hit overseas, and the 3D-animated adventure (which I failed to like) reclaimed the No. 1 spot on the internatinal circuit with a weekend gross of $22.8 million for a total of $235.4 million.

Two films tied for second place overseas. "Paranormal Activity 2" gave up the top spot and dropped to No. 2 with $14 million ($46 million total). David Fincher's "The Social Network" bagged the same amount.

Meanwhile, Lionsgate's sequel "Saw 3D" opened in 25 markets, earning $11.5 million, which was enough for third place. France's "Les Petits Muchoirs" (Little White Lies) followed with $9.4 million at No. 4.

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Box Office: 'Saw 3D' wins weekend with $22M

Lionsgate scored an easy win at the North American box office as Kevin Greutert's horror sequel "Saw 3D" bagged a solid $22.5 million from ticket sales at 2,808 sites, according to studio estimates Sunday.

"Saw 3D," the supposedly last installment in the profitable series, scored a strong average of $8,013 per theater. The seventh film outperformed its 2009 predecessor by $8 million on opening weekend.

Last week's box office winner "Paranormal Activity 2" slipped to second place this weekend, earning another $16.5 million for a cumulative gross of $65.6 million after just a little more than a week in release.

At No. 3, Summit's action comedy "RED" picked up $10.8 million, reaching its total gross to $58.9 million. Following in fourth place with $8.4 million was "Jackass 3D," which brought its total to $101.5 million.

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'Paranormal Activity 2' bags huge $20M Friday

Wow! What a glorious start it's been for Paramount's "Paranormal Activity 2" at the North American box office: the sequel to last year's horror sensation scored a big $20.1 million in ticket sales Friday.

The Tod Williams-helmed sequel scored a strong average of $6,250 per theater at 3,216 locations. The $20 million daily gross also includes $6.3 million the flick earned from nationwide midnight screenings.

"Jackass 3D" delivered quite a solid performance Friday as well, picking up another $7.5 million for a total domestic gross of $73.1 million. The sequel earned $2,433 per theater at 3,111 locations.

At No. 3, "RED" generated $4.5 million, lifting its total haul to $33 million. Following in fourth place was Clint Eastwood's "Hereafter," which finished Friday with a daily take of $4.1 million (from 2,181 sites).

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Box Office: 'Jackass 3D' bags a massive $50M!

Stupidity reigned at the North American box office this weekend, as Johnny Knoxville's "Jackass 3D" raced to the top spot with a strong $50 million in ticket sales, according to studio estimates Sunday.

Directed by Jeff Tremaine and featuring the "Jackass" regulars, the flick scored a massive average of $16,228 per theater at 3,081 locations. Opening gross is almost double that of "Jackass: Number Two."

At a distant second place, Summit Entertainment's action comedy "RED" debuted with $22.5 million. The Robert Schwentke-directed movie stars Bruce Willis as a retired black-ops agent targeted by the CIA.

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'Jackass 3D' is king of Friday box office

WOW! Johnny Knoxville and the crazy "Jackass" boys are blowing up the North American box office now that "Jackass 3D" debuted at the No. 1 spot with a stunning $21.8 million in ticket sales Friday.

The 3D film directed by Jeff Tremaine scored an average of $7,076 per theater at 3,081 locations, which is almost double the amount "Jackass: Number Two" pulled in when it debuted back in 2006.+

Following far behind at No. 2 was "RED," Summit's action comedy starring Bruce Willis, Helen Mirren, Mary-Louise Parker and Morgan Freeman. "RED" bagged $7.2 million from ticket sales at 3,255 locations.

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Box Office: 'The Social Network' stays on top

David Fincher's "The Social Network" made a late comeback this weekend and held on to the top spot at the North American box office with $15.5 million in ticket sales. Cume stands at $46 million.

Audiences definitely friended "Network" for a second weekend round, helping the film score an average of $5,594 per theater at 2,771 locations. That only marks a 30 percent drop from last weekend.

New entry "Life As We Know It" debuted in second place, earning $14.6 million from ticket sales at 3,150 loctions. Katherine Heigl and Josh Duhamel star as two individuals struggling to care for a baby.

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'Life As We Know It' leads Friday box office

This weekend isn't exactly memorable in terms of new movie releases, but Josh Duhamel and Katherine Heigl's new comedy "Life As We Know It" performed rather well at the top of the North American box office.

The Greg Berlanti-helmed comedy scored $5.2 million Friday via an average of $1.667 per theater at 3,150 locations. The film follows two people struggling to take care of a kid after the parents' death.

Coming in second was "The Social Network," which bagged another $4.9 million Friday for a total of $35.4 million. New entry "Secretariat" followed in third place with an opening day gross of $4 million.

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Box Office: 'The Social Network' wins race

David Fincher's "The Social Network" easily topped the North American box office this weekend as audiences "liked" the movie chronicling the beginning of Facebook. "Network" bagged $23 million.

Starring Jesse Eisenberg as the site's founder Mark Zuckerberg, the film scored an average of $8,300 per theater at 2,771 locations. Andrew Garfield and Justin Timberlake co-star in "The Social Network."

Things turned out pretty lame for the weekend's remaining two releases. Renee Zellweger's crappy horror movie "Case 39" onliy made it to No. 7, generating $5.3 million in ticket sales at 2,211 locations.

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'The Social Network' bags $8M Friday

David Fincher's "The Social Network" jumped to the top of the North American box office Friday with a solid $8 million in ticket sales, according to estimates. The film could finish the weekend with $24 million.

Playing at 2,771 locations, "The Social Network" scored a decent average of $2,887 per theater Friday. Starring Jesse Eisenberg, the film chronicles the creation of Facebook by Mark Zuckerberg at Harvard.

This week's other wide releases underperformed a bit. Matt Reeves' horror remake "Let Me In," which stars Chloe Moretz in the lead, debuted only at No. 6, earning $1.9 million only from 2,021 sites.

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Movie Review: "The Social Network"

Seen on: September 17, 2010

The players: Director: David Fincher, Writer: Aaron Sorkin, Cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, Rooney Mara, Max Minghella, Armie Hammer

Facts of interest: Based on Ben Mezrich's book.

The plot: The film takes a look at what happened when Mark Zuckerberg created Facebook.

Our thoughts: Who thought a movie about Facebook could potentially go down as the year’s best film? David Fincher and screenwriter Aaron Sorkin made it happen, and thanks to their expertise, we can head to the theater and enjoy “The Social Network,” which just happens to be one of the most entertaining cinematic experiences I’ve ever had. That would certainly make for a solid status update.

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