1. Texas Chainsaw 3D- $23M
Just like the opening weekend of last year, the #1 film right out of the gate is a horror film that exceeded all expectations. Seven years after Platinum Dunes shed the rights to Leatherface's story, a new film has emerged with obvious franchise hopes, and it seems at least for the time being that folks are curious to see where it goes. Of course, it has the value of name recognition, which likely brought out the hardcore horror freaks. The second weekend drop tends to be steep for genre flicks like this, but with a relatively modest $20M price tag they can afford it. Still, there's some cause for concern. These are solid numbers, but with inflated 3D ticket prices it couldn't surpass The Devil Inside's $34M from last year. With sequels already in development, producers will want to keep a close eye on those second-week numbers.
2. Django Unchained- $21M/$106.3M
Controversy probably played a large part of Quentin Tarantino's slavery revenge flick so quickly leaping beyond the $100M threshold. Chances are it will surpass the domestic haul of Inglourious Basterds pretty quick.
3. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey- $17.5M/$263.8M
After holding court ahead of Django Unchained last week, The Hobbit slips a couple of spots as it approaches $800M worldwide.
4. Les Miserables- $16.1M/$103.6M
The big news here isn't that Tom Hooper's film has so quickly topped $100M domestically, it's the nearly $70M it's done on the foreign market. Apparently there's quite the audience for depressing people performing throaty musical numbers.
5. Parental Guidance- $10.1M/$52.7M
Darn you, America.
6. Jack Reacher- $9.3M/$64.8M
7. This is 40- $8.5M/$54.4M
8. Lincoln- $5.2M/$143.9M
9. The Guilt Trip- $4.5M/$31.2M
10. Promised Land- $4.3M/$4.6M
Edging its way into the top 10, and getting a huge leap in theaters from 25 to over 1600, is Gus van Sant's fracking drama. Even with Matt Damon and John Krasinski fronting this pic, and an ad campaign that tried to position it as a buddy comedy(really!!?), people weren't buying it and are largely staying away. Shocker.
