The box office battle of horror sequels was won by The Final Destination [FDES4] with an estimated $28.3 million weekend. The opening is a franchise best for Warner Bros. Halloween 2 [H2] meanwhile debuted in third place with $17.4 million. The Final Destination was helped in part by 3D showings, which costs a few dollars more than normal screens. Faced with a choice, more moviegoers opted for the fresher material. While Halloween 2 is a direct sequel to a remake of a well-worn franchise, The Final Destination invents new ways in which death stalks a new cast in creative fashions.
Last weekend’s top film Inglourious Basterds [BSTRD] finished second with $20 million. The modest 47% decline indicates that the World War II action fantasy is enjoying solid word of mouth from the more discriminating adult moviegoers. Inglourious Basterds has already bagged $73.7 million in 10 days.
District 9 [DIST9] is also enjoying box office legs during dog days of summer. The sci-fi actioner rounded up $10.7 million to bring its cumulative total to over $90 million.
The weekend’s third new wide release, Taking Woodstock [WDSTK] charted at ninth with a soft $3.7 million opening. Directed by Ang Lee [ALEE], the comedy about putting together the legendary 1969 music festival did not receive good reviews.
| Rank | TITLE | F-S-S | TOTAL |
| 1 | THE FINAL DESTINATION | $28,335,000 | $28,335,000 |
| 2 | INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS | $20,041,000 | $73,760,000 |
| 3 | HALLOWEEN 2 | $17,405,000 | $17,405,000 |
| 4 | DISTRICT 9 | $10,700,000 | $90,813,000 |
| 5 | G.I. JOE: THE RISE OF COBRA | $8,000,000 | $132,436,000 |
| 6 | JULIE & JULIA | $7,400,000 | $70,992,000 |
| 7 | THE TIME TRAVELER'S WIFE | $6,745,000 | $48,193,000 |
| 8 | SHORTS | $4,870,000 | $13,565,000 |
| 9 | TAKING WOODSTOCK | $3,748,896 | $3,748,896 |
| 10 | G-FORCE | $2,845,000 | $111,801,000 |
Source: Exhibitor Relations Co.
Tag(s): FDES4, H2, BSTRD, DIST9, WDSTK, ALEE