"The Grudge 2" tops box office in U.S.

Horror movie "The Grudge 2" topped the U.S. box office this weekend, bringing in an estimated 22 million dollars, according to preliminary box office figures released on Sunday.

The movie, a product of Sonny Pictures, helped Sony break its own record with 12 No. 1 openings this year.

The horror flick revives the same mysterious curse of its predecessor, 2004's "The Grudge," which opened with more than 39 million dollars.

Last week's leader, Martin Scorsese's mob drama "The Departed" slipped to second place with about 18.7 million dollars, according Exhibitor Relations Inc., the Encino-based box office tracker.

Robin William's comedy "Man of The Year," about a comedian who, on a whim, decides to run for president and unexpectedly wins, debuted in third place with an estimated 12.6 million dollars.

"Open Season," the animated flick about animals banding together for protection during hunting season, fell one spot to fourth place with about 11 million dollars.

"The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning," the latest installment stemming from the original 1974 horror movie, dropped three spots to fifth place with about 7.8 million dollars.

Rounding out the top 12: "The Marine" (7 million dollars); "The Guardian" (5.9 million dollars); "Employee of the Month" (5.6 million dollars); " One Night With The King" (4.3 million dollars); "Jackass: Number Two" (3.3 million dollars); "The Illusionist" (1.4 million dollars); "School for Scoundrels" (1.3 million dollars).

The top 12 films grossed an estimated 100.8 million dollars this weekend, making it the third "up" weekend in a row. Last year's gross for the top twelve was 71.6 million dollars.

Source: Xinhua