Exceeding just about everyone’s expectations at the Box Office this weekend is David Fincher‘s Gone Girl from 3,014 theatres, reigning supreme in North America with a superb $38 million for 20th Century Fox. Audiences may have responded lukewarm to the Gillian Flynn Adaptation with a B CinemaScore, but Critics gave it a resounding “yes” with an 87% score on the Tomatometer. Social Media buzz peaked right in time for release with Twitter and Facebook set afire with the revelation that Ben Affleck appears nude late in the Film. Inasmuch as we’d hate to acknowledge this played a big part, it is undeniable. We saw Gone Girl and we loved it. It was gripping, oddly-funny and unlike anything we’ve ever seen; the fastest two-and-a-half hours we’ve spent at the Movies in a while.
Annabelle continues what is becoming a largely successful Franchise for Warner Bros.’ The Conjuring. The Prequel debuts a strong second with $37 million from 3,185 theatres, accomplishing a rare feat of two Films debuting in the Top Two with $30+ million in October. The last time this happened according to Gitesh Pandya, was 2008 with High School Musical 3 and Saw 5. Critics passed on it with a 31% on the Tomatometer, while Audiences gave it a better B CinemaScore. By comparison, The Conjuring debuted in July 2013 with $41 million. A Sequel is slated for late 2015.
TIFF ’14 Selection The Equalizer, which debuted on-top last weekend, continues to perform well in third with $17 million in its second week out for Sony Pictures. Meanwhile, The Maze Runner in its third week still continues to more than earn its keep in fourth for 20th Century Fox with $11.6 million.
Nicolas Cage‘s latest effort, Left Behind debuts in sixth with $8 million from 1,800 screens for Stoney Lake Entertainment/Freestyle Releasing. Audiences gave it a B- CinemaScore, although it got a much worse 3% on the Tomatometer from Critics.
Rounding-out the Top Ten is former Champ No Good Deed from Sony Pictures, earning $2.4 million, now in its fourth week out.
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