Paramount Pictures, Weekend Box Office | featured news

Distributed by Viacom Inc.'s Paramount Pictures, "Paranormal Activity 4" took in $30.2 million in its first weekend in theaters in North America, a significant drop from the opening haul of the third film in the franchise, which earned $52.6 million.

J.J. Abrams’ Super 8 opened to a better-than-expected $37 million at the domestic box office after an aggressive 11th hour marketing blitz by Paramount. Including paid previews on Thursday, the period sci-fi pic has earned $38 million in its first four days.

The second big-budget studio release of the summer grossed a solid $66 million, according to an estimate from distributor Paramount Pictures. The 3-D film about a Norse god destroyed the two other films in wide release this weekend, which were both romantic comedies about marriage. "Jumping the Broom," about two families from different backgrounds converging at a wedding, collected a decent $13.7 million. "Something Borrowed," which had a bigger budget and is based on Emily Giffin's bestselling novel of the same name, had a soft $13.2-million take.

Paramount and DreamWorks Animation had a kick-ass weekend of their own at the domestic B.O., with 3D toon "How to Train Your Dragon" posting an estimated $20 million at 3,825 locations, enough to claim the top spot in its fourth frame. With help from higher 3D ticket prices, the toon holdover edged out Lionsgate's superhero actioner "Kick-Ass," which debuted with $19.8 million at 3,065 engagements.