Moviegoers flocked back to theaters for a last summer fling as two new wide releases performed beyond Expectations. Based on studio estimates, The Last Exorcism [LXORC] earned $21.3 million to edge out Takers [TAKER] at $21.0 million for first place at the weekend box office. The Last Exorcism is already profitable as Lionsgate acuired the $2 million horror film for just $1 million. Latinos made up a majority of the audience at 54%. With box office already frontloaded to Friday, The Last Exorcism looks to have short legs.
Takers grossed $2 million less than The Last Exorcism on Friday, but has made up the difference by Sunday. The heist thriller featuring an attractive cast proved popular with young male and female moviegoers.
The Expendables [XPNDB] extracted another $9.5 million to finish in third place, while Eat Pray Love [ETPLV] followed behind with $7.0 million.
The re-release of Avatar: Special Edition charted at number 12 at just $4 million.
| Rank | TITLE | F-S-S | TOTAL |
| 1 | THE LAST EXORCISM | $21,300,000 | $21,300,000 |
| 2 | TAKERS | $21,000,000 | $21,000,000 |
| 3 | THE EXPENDABLES | $9,500,000 | $82,010,000 |
| 4 | EAT, PRAY, LOVE | $7,000,000 | $60,716,000 |
| 5 | THE OTHER GUYS | $6,600,000 | $99,300,000 |
| 6 | VAMPIRES SUCK | $5,300,000 | $27,912,476 |
| 7 | INCEPTION | $5,105,000 | $270,749,000 |
| 8 | NANNY MCPHEE RETURNS | $4,742,610 | $17,019,680 |
| 9 | THE SWITCH | $4,658,000 | $16,484,000 |
| 10 | PIRANHA 3D | $4,308,000 | $18,272,011 |
| 11 | LOTTERY TICKET | $4,010,000 | $17,440,000 |
| 12 | AVATAR: SPECIAL EDITION | $4,000,000 | $753,766,139 |
Source: Exhibitor Relations Co.
Tag(s): LXORC, TAKER, XPNDB, ETPLV