The studio numbers have just been released for the weekend, and they verify what we have seen going into today. Taken 2 flat out dominated the box office since Friday with a stunning $50 million debut which qualifies the pic as one of the biggest openings ever in the month of October on par with that for Paranormal Activity 3 (2011) and Jack-Ass 3D (2010.)
A story might be held elsewhere though in this is by far and away Liam Neeson’s best debut ever in regards to films that he has led. The veteran action star has never even backed an effort beyond $30 million in its first three days, so this is a fairly big deal. Going into the weekend, numerous reports surfaced sourcing director Olivier Megaton and the movie’s star that this was the end of the Taken series, but this is the type of success that might have Europa and Fox backing up a Brinks trunk on Liam Neeson’s lawn to ensure a third outing.
As for the other new arrival, Tim Burton’s stop-motion animated effort Frankenweenie barely showed up. The movie found $11.5 million which can be blamed entirely on Hotel Transylvania’s unexpected success a week ago. That movie is now racing past $75 million after scoring another $26.3 million–good enough for second.
Another surprise is had with Pitch Perfect starring Anna Kendrick. The music-heavy comedy from director Jason Moore garnered $14.7 million in box office receipts. Look for more of like-genre’d movies to proliferate in the coming years because there is obviously a market for it this time of year.