Hotel Transylvania and Looper Shine – Biff Bam Pop’s Weekend Box Office Wrap-Up Report

Our predictions may have been off, but the weekend box office numbers are well worth celebrating, as the two big releases absolutely over-performed, bringing crowds back to theatres after a few humdrum weeks. Here’s what went down.

Classic monsters turned out to be a huge draw for families this weekend, as Hotel Transylvania scared up a stellar $42 million to land in first place. This is a great number, the best turn-out for a film with Adam Sandler in quite some time. Clearly the film appealed to a cross-demo and should have some decent legs over the next few weeks.

Find out how the rest of the weekend turned out after the jump!
Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Bruce Willis brought in crowds to Looper, which debut in second place with a strong $21 million. JGL proves he can open a film, which bodes well for him as he quickly moves into A-list status. He’s got all the tools to be a big star – good looks and fantastic acting chops. Clearly audiences responded to him as a leaf actor, though you can’t diminish the compelling story and co-stars Willis and Emily Blunt. It will be interesting to see how the film plays out over the next few weeks; sci-fi films don’t often hold up over subsequent weekends. Perhaps Looper will be an exception.

As for the rest of the top five, End Of Watch hit third place with $7.8 million, Trouble With The Curve brought in $7.5 million to claim the fourth spot while House At The End Of The Street closed things out in fifth with $7.3 million.

So, to recap, here were our predictions:

1) Looper – $23 million
2) Hotel Transylvania – $20 million
3) End Of Watch – $8 million
4) Houses At The End Of The Street – $7.5 million
5) Trouble With The Curve – $6 million

And here’s how the weekend turned out:

1) Hotel Transylvania – $42 million
2) Looper – $21 million
3) End Of Watch – $7.8 million
4) Trouble With The Curve – $7.5 million
5) House At The End Of The Street – $7.3 million

Next weekend sees the release of Tim Burton’s Frankenweenie, which will be gunning for the top spot at the box office. Check back on Friday to see our predictions!