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Add the andPOP Facebook Application(andPOP) - With this being the weekend before Halloween, it's no surprise that horror thrillers would do well at the box office.
It's probably why "Saw III" came in for a huge first weekend debut at the theatres, pulling in $34.3 million - a record for the movie franchise centered on psycho killer Jigsaw, played by Tobin Bell.
"Saw III" bumped Disney's "The Prestige" off the No. 1 spot at the box office. Instead, the movie slipped to third place as Martin Scorsese's "The Departed" held steady at No. 2 for the third straight weekend.
Rounding out the top five were Clint Eastwood's "Flag of Our Fathers," at No. 4 with $6.35 million and the family friendly "Open Season," featuring the voice of Ashton Kutcher.
One to watch out for is "Babel," the new Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett vehicle which opened in limited release this weekend at seven theatres - yet still grossing $365,801. "Babel" will open nationwide on Nov. 10.
"Saw III"'s predecessor, "Saw II" also opened at No. 1 at the same time last year. Since the success of "Saw I" and "Saw II," a new sequel has become an annual Halloween ritual.
"It's the biggest no-brainer of the century to put these movies out on Halloween weekend and wait for the money to roll in," said Paul Dergarabedian, president of box-office tracker Exhibitor Relations.
Estimated box office figures for the weekend, according to the Associated Press, are:
1. "Saw III," $34.3 million.
2. "The Departed," $9.8 million.
3. "The Prestige," $9.6 million.
4. "Flags of Our Fathers," $6.35 million.
5. "Open Season," $6.1 million.
6. "Flicka," $5 million.
7. "Man of the Year," $4.7 million.
8. "The Grudge 2," $3.3 million.
9. "Marie Antoinette," $2.85 million.
10. "Running With Scissors," $2.55 million
