America was clearly craving geysers of gore this weekend as the Sam Raimi-produced remake of Evil Dead stormed to the top of the charts, earning $26 million in its first weekend. Given that the budget was $17 million, that’s not a bad start at all and bodes well for the film’s longevity. Perhaps it also means Raimi and Bruce Campbell will finally deliver on their Army Of Darkness sequel plans?
G.I. Joe: Retaliation was forced into retreat, backing down to second place, but still earning $21.1 million for an $86.6 million running total.** The Croods** was in joint second place, taking home an identical $21.1 million, at least according to studio estimates. It remains to be seen which film will be triumphant when the final official figures come in. Jurassic Park’s 3D re-release was a small success too, opening up with $18.2 million. Olympus Has Fallen rounded out the top 5 with $10.04 million.
Sixth place went to Tyler Perry’s Temptation, which made $10 million, while Oz The Great And Powerful was down to seventh with $8.1 million. The Hos****t sank to eighth, taking home $5.2 million, with **The Call **ninth ($3.5 million) and Admission falling quickly to 10th and $2 million.
To see a demon defeat an army in the full chart listings, head to Box Office Mojo.