MUMBAI: In a downturn, Warner Bros‘ Cloud Atlas opened at a disappointing No. 3 with $9.4 million. The situation helped Ben Affleck‘s Argo to rise to the No. 1 position in its third weekend as four new releases bombed at the box office.
It is said that pre-Halloween parties, football and the World Series were more of a distraction. However, New York City grosses were hurt on Sunday as theatres shut down in advance of the approaching mega storm.
Argo grossed $12.4 million from 2,855 theatres for an appreciating North American total of $60.8 million. The film dropped 25 per cent and is the first movie since The Blind Side to come in the No. 1 spot for the first time in its third weekend.
There was more bad news for Cloud Atlas. It also was beaten by holdover Hotel Transylvania that narrowly claimed the No. 2 spot with $9.5 million from 3,276 locations in its fifth weekend for a domestic total of $130.4 million.
The $100 million Cloud Atlas came in at No. 3 with $9.4 million from 2,008 locations. The film, hurt by a C+ CinemaScore and mixed reviews, will need to make a strong showing internationally.