Paranormal Activity 3 Makes Frightening Opening Box Office Haul

files/pictures/picture-35.jpgParamount's PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 3 had a frightening haul at the U.S. box office for the weekend of Oct. 21-23, 2011. In its debut the haunted house flick made $54 million, making it one of the biggest hits of the fall. Almost Human created the visual effects for the horror prequel.

After two weeks at #1, Disney's REAL STEEL slipped to second, bringing in another $11.3 million. With vfx from Digital Domain, Giant Studios and Legacy Effects, the robot family film has a cume of $67.2 million.

Paramount's FOOTLOOSE twirled into third with $10.9 million. With vfx from Wildfire Visual Effects, the dance flick remake has earned $30.9 million to date.

Summit Ent.'s THE THREE MUSKETEERS swashbuckled into fourth, taking in $8.8 million in its debut. Mr. X and Rodeo FX provided the vfx for the latest version of the Alexandre Dumas tale.

Columbia's THE IDES OF MARCH finished in fifth, winning another $4.9 million. With vfx from Method Studios and Tyrrell FX & Rentals, the political thriller has a cume of $29.2 million.

Warner Bros.' DOLPHIN TALE flipped into sixth with $4.2 million. The inspirational family film has earned $64.4 million to date.

Columbia's MONEYBALL swung into seventh, bringing in an additional $4.05 million. With vfx from Rhythm and Hues, the baseball biz flick has a cume of $63.7 million.

Universal's JOHNNY ENGLISH REBORN premiered in eighth place with $3.8 million. Framestore created the visual effects for the Rown Atkinson spy comedy.

Universal's THE THING plummeted from third to ninth in its second weekend in theaters. With vfx from Acme F/X, Amalgamated Dynamics, Image Engine Design, Mr. X, Proof and With A Twist Studio, the horror prequel added $3.12 million to its $14.1 million total.

Summit's 50/50 closed out the top ten with $2.8 million. With vfx from Wildfire Visual Effects, the cancer dramedy has amassed $28.8 million thus far.

Box office numbers were obtained on boxofficemojo.com.