#BOXOFFICE: “ZERO DARK THIRTY” SHINES BRIGHT AT BOX OFFICE

Huge numbers for Zero Dark Thirty which in a perfectly-timed expansion to 2,937 theatres just one day after Oscar Nominations were announced, earns $24 million for Sony Pictures/Alliance Films. The intense Drama about the successful capture of Osama bin Laden, to date has earned $31 million after two v. successful weeks in Limited Release. Reviews equally are solid with it earning a stellar 92% on Rotten Tomatoes’ Tomatometer. Many are seeing this latest Effort from Oscar-winning Director Kathryn Bigelow as a legitimate contender to win Best Picture next month.

A Haunted House opens in 2,160 theatres south of the border for Open Road Films, earning $17.5 million and opening in second.  The Horror-Comedy stars Marlon Wayans and spoofs Found-Footage Horrors like Paranormal Activity and The Devil Inside and has yet to be released in Canada. Critics as expected, ripped the Film to shreds, earning a paltry 10% on the Tomatometer, but Users overwhelmingly gave it an 85% rating and Cinemascore gave it a B- rating; not bad.

After delays, Mobster Drama Gangster Squad debuts respectably in third with $17 million from 3,103 theatres. Made for $75 million, the slick-looking Film boasts a stellar Cast including Sean Penn, Josh Brolin, Ryan Gosling, Giovanni Ribisi and Emma Stone. Although Critics had their opinions about the Movie, Audiences responded well and it gets a B+ Cinemascore.

Still going strong after a Christmas release, Django Unchained lands in fourth this week for The Weinstein Co./Alliance Films, earning $14.5 million. Just nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars, that news likely helped propel Moviegoers into the theatres this weekend. It already has earned over $125 million domestically.

Les Misérables, like Django Unchained, continues to get a push from its Oscar Nomination for Best Picture, earning $9.5 million in its third week. Above this, its Soundtrack is performing exceedingly-well on the U.S. Billboard Hot 200 Chart, currently the number one-selling Album in North America.

The Hobbit in its fifth week lands in sixth with $9 million – to date earning $277 million domestically. This places it  just ahead of Disney‘s Lincoln which earns a v. solid $6.3 million in its tenth week.

Last week’s Champ, Texas Chainsaw Massacre 3D is unable to maintain its dominance, slipping to number eighth this weekend with $5.5 million after debuting on-top. Paramount Pictures’ Jack Reacher rounds-out the Top Ten with $5 million.