Halloween topped the North American box office this weekend with an estimated US$26.5 million.
Rob Zombie's updated version of John Carpenter's 1978 cult classic opened at 3,472 locations on Friday, and drew large crowds on what is usually the calm Labor Day weekend.
Last week's box office champion, Superbad, dropped to no. 2, earning $12.2 million from ticket sales at 3,002 locations. Directed by Greg Mottola, the popular teen comedy starring Jonah Hill and Michael Cera lifted its cumulative gross to $89 million after three weeks in release.
New entry Balls of Fury ranked in third this weekend, collecting $11.6 million from 3,052 sites. The Ben Garant-directed sports comedy opened nationwide last Wednesday and reached a total gross of only $14.6 million.
Down two spots from no. 2 to no. 4, The Bourne Ultimatum delivered a strong performance with a weekend gross of $10.2 million. Directed by Paul Greengrass, the third installment in the series based on Robert Ludlum's novels reached a total haul of $199.6 million after five weeks in theaters.
Meanwhile, Brett Ratner's action comedy Rush Hour 3 lost two spots and slipped to no. 5, pulling $8.6 million and lifting its total earnings to $120.4 million.
This upcoming weekend, three wide releases will compete for the top spot at the North American box office.
In 3:10 to Yuma, a struggling rancher will assist the authorities in transporting a ruthless criminal to a prison in Yuma. Directed by James Mangold, the Western stars Russell Crowe and Christian Bale in roles originated by Van Heflin and Glenn Ford in Delmer Daves' 1957 classic.
Also opening wide is Michael Davis' action flick Shoot 'Em Up, in which Clive Owen goes ballistic while trying to protect a woman and her child from a cold-blooded maniac played by Paul Giamatti.
The third movie to open nationwide on Friday is The Brothers Solomon, a comedy about two brothers who'll stop at nothing to provide their father with a grandson. Directed by Bob Odenkirk, the movie stars Will Forte and Will Arnett.
Source: Box Office Mojo (www.boxofficemojo.com)
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