With 3D accounting for 80% of its box office gross, the space thriller Gravity [GRVTY] set an opening weekend record for October with an estimated $55.6 million. The previous high was $52.6 million held by Paranormal Activity 3. The film attracted an audience that was 54% male and 82% over the age of 25. The older adult moviegoers drove the attendance up 31% on Saturday. Along with strong word of mouth, Gravity will have a long hold on the box office.
Last weekend's top film Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 [CWCM2] slipped to second with $21.5 million. The animated sequel declined 37% in its second weekend to bring its cumulative total to $60.6 million.
Runner Runner [RUNER] debuted in third place with $7.6 million. The online gambling thriller failed to connect with younger moviegoers as 70% of the audience was over the age of 25.
Prisoners [PRSNS] finished fourth at $5.7 million, bringing its total to $47.9 million.
Opening in 387 theaters, Pulling Strings [PULST] netted $2.5 million to finish ninth overall.
| Rank | TITLE | F-S-S | TOTAL |
| 1 | GRAVITY | $55,550,000 | $55,550,000 |
| 2 | CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS 2 | $21,500,000 | $60,557,000 |
| 3 | RUNNER RUNNER | $7,600,000 | $7,600,000 |
| 4 | PRISONERS | $5,700,000 | $47,880,000 |
| 5 | RUSH | $4,408,280 | $18,094,599 |
| 6 | DON JON | $4,160,000 | $16,077,317 |
| 7 | BAGGAGE CLAIM | $4,125,000 | $15,185,100 |
| 8 | INSIDIOUS: CHAPTER 2 | $3,876,000 | $74,749,587 |
| 9 | PULLING STRINGS | $2,500,000 | $2,500,000 |
| 10 | ENOUGH SAID | $2,150,000 | $5,386,600 |
| 11 | INSTRUCTIONS NOT INCLUDED | $1,850,000 | $41,266,096 |
| 12 | WE'RE THE MILLERS | $1,610,000 | $144,900,000 |
Tag(s): GRVTY, CWCM2, RUNER, PRSNS, PULST