Friday Box Office: Paranormal Overdrive

Finally, in week five of the marketing case study that is Paranormal Activity, the gritty Little Thriller That Could became the No. 1 film in the country. In doing so it eclipsed Saw VI, the senior horror franchise that either met its no-budget match in Activity or has simply worn out its welcome among splatter fans (or maybe both); its $6.9 million Friday was the lowest by far of any Saw film to date. Another shabby showing afflicted Where the Wild Things Are, whose own Friday was more than 60 percent off last week's pace. In keeping with its heroine's tragic demise, Amelia disappeared from radar soon after takeoff, grossing a meager $1.3 million and not even cracking the top 10. Read on to see what did make the cut.

PARANORMAL ACTIVITY: $7,200,000 ($47,700,000)

SAW VI: $6,900,000 (new)

WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE: $4,300,000 ($43,800,000)

LAW ABIDING CITIZEN: $4,100,000 ($31,700,000)

COUPLES RETREAT: $3,600,000 ($70,700,000)

CIRQUE DU FREAK: THE VAMPIRE'S ASSISTANT: $2,200,000 (new)

THE STEPFATHER: $2,200,000 ($16,000,000)

ASTRO BOY: $1,800,000 (new)

CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS: $1,500,000 ($111,000,000)

ZOMBIELAND: $1,400,000 ($64,400,000)