Horror given full rein at box office

'Saw' looks to cut it vs. 'Paranormal'

By PAMELA MCCLINTOCK

'Saw VI'

Summit Entertainment’s 'Astro Boy' is the lone family pic bowing nationwide this weekend.

The "Saw" franchise's reign as Halloween's No. 1 monster could be weakened this year, as Paramount's out-of-nowhere "Paranormal Activity" expands to take on the sixth installment at the domestic box office.

Three other nationwide entries are in the game: Summit Entertainment's toon "Astro Boy" (3,014 screens); Universal's "Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant" (2,754 sites); and Fox Searchlight's biopic "Amelia" (818), directed by Mira Nair and toplining Hilary Swank as aviatrix Amelia Earhart.

Box office observers say the race for No. 1 is between Lionsgate and Twisted Pictures' "Saw VI" and "Paranormal Activity," although with such a crowded playing field given both new entries and solid holdovers -- including last weekend's winner, "Where the Wild Things Are" -- no one's placing bets.

Going out in 3,036 theaters gives "Saw VI" an advantage over "Paranormal," which expands from 764 runs last weekend to more than 1,900 today.

"Saw's" familiarity in the marketplace is both a blessing and a curse. Installments two through five all opened north of $30 million, but franchise fatigue could be setting in, especially in light of "Paranormal's" buzz.

The first five "Saw" titles took a domestic total of $342.4 million.

Franchise also has seen big business overseas. "Saw VI" opens day-and-date in a handful of key international markets, including the U.K., before rolling out across the globe.

Domestically, "Saw VI" remains the first choice in tracking among younger males. But younger females, along with older males looking for scares, are opting for "Paranormal Activity."

Last weekend, the Jason Blum-produced "Paranormal" grossed $19.6 million. It's seen strong weekday biz, winning the Wednesday B.O. ahead of Warner Bros.' "Wild Things" and Overture Films' "Law Abiding Citizen." Cume through Wednesday was $38.6 million.

Since it is already playing major markets, "Paranormal's" ability to grow its gross beyond last weekend's haul will be a test of how it plays in middle markets and on additional screens in existing markets.

Based on a popular vampire horror book series, Universal's "Cirque du Freak" also will try to capitalize on the Halloween season, but it's lagging in tracking. PG-13 pic plays younger than the R-rated "Saw VI" and "Paranormal."

Likewise capitalizing on the holiday is Tim Burton perennial "The Nightmare Before Christmas in 3D," which Disney takes out in 105 locations.

Summit's "Astro Boy," financed and produced by Imagi, is the nationwide family entry but will find girls a tougher draw.

Searchlight's "Amelia" has the most strength among older women. Film, also starring Ewan McGregor and Richard Gere, has drawn mixed reviews. "Amelia" is being positioned as an awards contender.

On the specialty side, openers include Katherine Dieckmann's Uma Thurman-Minnie Driver-Anthony Edwards dramatic comedy "Motherhood," which Freestyle takes out in 48 locations.

Also in the running for Halloween scares are Lars von Trier's "Antichrist," which IFC Films opens in six runs in New York; and Anchor Bay's horror sendup "Stan Helsing," with Leslie Nielsen, in New York and Los Angeles.