'Paranormal Activity' Beats 'Saw VI' at Friday Box Office
Filed under: Horror, Thrillers, Box Office, Newsstand
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Just when you thought it was safe to assume the mega horror franchise would once again own another Halloween at the box office, Friday estimates are showing that Paranormal Activity ($7.5 million) beat Saw VI ($7 million), despite the fact that the latter is playing on over 1,100 more screens than the former. Could this finally be the year that a Saw film tanks at the box office? Could Paranormal Activity be the movie that keeps Jigsaw in check? And if Saw VI loses the weekend box office to Paranormal Activity (which early estimates are indicating), what will this mean for the Saw franchise moving forward?
Whether or not you liked Paranormal Activity, you really do have to give it props for being one of the most successful underdog flicks in history. Do you realize that if the film somehow manages to pull in a total of $100 million at the box office (after this weekend it could climb above $60 million), it will become the most successful Paramount film in modern history? As Deadline Hollywood points out, the movie was acquired for $300k and the studio only spent around $10 million on prints and advertising, so, says a DH "insider", "this will be the best return Paramount has ever had." I'd like to repeat that because it's definitely worth repeating: This little indie film could give Paramount the best return it has ever had. Remarkable.
More on Paranormal Activity
Interview with Oren Peli, writer-director of Paranormal Activity
So what was Paranormal Activity's original ending?
Black Friday Movie Deals: Best Buy
Sex and Nudity Don't Draw You to the Movies?
What Makes a Real Vampire?
Robert Downey Jr. Wants to Retire?
Jaycee Dugard's Horrific Story to Get a Sleazy Adaptation
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
10-24-2009 @ 3:13PM
Batzarro said...
I wouldn't say it's a complete beatdown, but pretty impressive for the newcomer.
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10-24-2009 @ 4:12PM
ShaolinDolemite said...
This seemed to be the case for me late last night. Everyone seemed to be headed into Paranormal Activity instead of Saw VI. I went to see Saw VI because I'd seen Paranormal Activity,two weeks ago (thought it was good- not totally awesome but good). BTW, Saw VI better than Saw V.
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10-25-2009 @ 7:45PM
ladybug said...
Saw the movie last night. This movie has been hyped up way to much. Boring, took too long for something to happen, only about 3 scenes were of interest. Very disappointing to me and the group I was with to see movie.
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10-25-2009 @ 8:08PM
NP said...
I wouldn't call Paranormal Activity an underdog as much as a marketing success story. I saw it two weeks ago and think it's really not worth all the hype.
On the other hand, I saw Antichrist this weekend and think it functions as a much more effective horror film.
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