Where the Wild Things Really Are: First Place

Spike Jonze led his woolly cadre of bandits on a box-office spree this weekend, finally allaying any doubts that his ambitious adaptation of Where the Wild Things Are could find traction in the cruel world awaiting it. And there was plenty of loot left behind for its multiplex rivals as well; find out how much after the jump.

1. Where the Wild Things Are

Gross: $32,470,000 (new)

Screen: 3,735 (PSA: $8,693)

Weeks: 1

OK, so first things first: I got this massively wrong on Friday, and I apologize for underestimating the demand for Jonze's labor of love. I have since been on placed on box-office-projection probation and reassigned to the international desk, where I am now to scan the wires every Friday for new blackface scandals, balloon-trapped children and other minor controversies of note. Hopefully this will keep future B.O. misreads to a minimum in the weeks ahead. Memo to my successor: Never, ever sell Jonze or his supersize digital chicken short.

2. Law Abiding Citizen

Gross: $21,250,000 (new)

Screen: 2,890 (PSA: $7,353)

Weeks: 1

Here's another one that a lot of observers failed to give enough credit to leading up to opening day. We all should have known that there's something about being named the GOP's Revenge Fantasia of the Week that really puts butts in seats.

3. Paranormal Activity

Gross: $20,163,000 (cume: $33,717,000)

Screen: 760 (PSA: $26,530)

Weeks: 4 (Change: +155.2%)

Here's an idea for raising revenue in the cash-strapped cities where Paranormal Activity is playing: Send the fire marshal to write citations for viewers sitting in the aisles. With an utterly insane $20.1 million on 760 screens, you're bound to find them just about everywhere.

4. Couples Retreat

Gross: $17,949,000 (cume: $63,339,000)

Screen: 3,009 (PSA: $5,965)

Weeks: 2 (Change: -47.7%)

Universal's first hit in months dropped less than expected, prompting relief in the studio's new regime and speculation around the media as to which video game director Peter Billingsley might be considering for his follow-up commercial.

5. The Stepfather

Gross: $12,300,000 (new)

Screen: 2,734 (PSA: $4,499)

Weeks: 1

Congratulations, Penn Badgley: You just earned the best theatrical opening to date of any Gossip Girl cast member. Consider planning the sequel; Chace Crawford's Footloose will wipe your achievement out soon enough.