Sony Pictures’ Michael Jackson documentary This Is It prevailed at the North American box office this weekend, with $21.3 million in ticket sales, according to studio estimates Sunday.
The Kenny Ortega-directed film opened at 3,481 locations Wednesday, bagging $11.1 million in two days. The domestic total of This Is It currently stands at a solid $32.5 million.
Most of the film's footage was shot in June 2009 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles and The Forum in Inglewood, Calif. It includes scenes drawn from hours of rehearsal and behind-the-scenes footage.
At No. 2, Paramount’s sensational hit Paranormal Activity generated another superb $16.5 million after expanding to 2,404 locations. That brings the suspense thriller’s total haul to $84.6 million.
Reportedly produced on a budget of only $15,000, Paranormal Activity has been filling up screenings all across the US for weeks. This weekend alone, the film scored an fantastic average of $6,880 per theater.
Following at a distant No. 3, with a weekend gross of $7.3 million, was F. Gary Gray’s thriller Law Abiding Citizen, which brought its cumulative gross to $51.3 million. Gerard Butler and Jamie Foxx star.
Meanwhile, Vince Vaughn’s latest comedy, Couples Retreat, jumped back up to fourth place (up from last week’s No. 5), earning $6 million for a total gross of $86.6 million after four weeks in release.
Saw VI took a substantial dive to No. 5 this weekend, taking home $5.5 million. The sixth installment in the horror franchise lifted its domestic total to a disappointing $22.8 million after a little more than one week in release.
Spike Jonze’s Where the Wild Things Are picked up $5 million in sixth place, which brings its cume to $61.8 million. Following at No. 7 with a three-day gross of $3.4 million was The Stepfather, which reached a total of $24.7 million.
Summit Entertainment’s underperforming animated feature Astro Boy (above) collected $3 million at No. 8, lifting its domestic total gross to $10.8 million. Starring Hilary Swank, Amelia followed in ninth place with a weekend total of $3 million and a cume of $8.3 million.
Finally, Paul Weitz’s Cirque du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant finished at No. 10 with $2.8 million, which brought its cumulative gross to only $10.5 million.
Source: Box Office Mojo (www.boxofficemojo.com)
i always wanted 2 meet michael.but never had the chance he seem like a nice guy alittle shy but nice i will always remember him 4 ever.he was & still is #1
Michael Jackson proves he's still THE KING.