Taken 2 and Argo over performs at the box office, revenues 58% better than last year

Box office revenues have increased by almost 58 percent compared to last year because of several films that have exceeded expectations, with ‘Taken 2’ and ‘Argo’ right in front.

Dan Fellman, Warner Brothers’, President of Domestic Distribution, puts things in perspective, in saying “Good movies rise to the occasion. Both ‘The Town’ and ‘Gran Torino’ played older initially and then turned into four-quadrant movies.”

Taken 2, with Liam Neeson, remained at No. 1 by grossing $22.5 million over its second weekend to a total of $219.6 million – close to the $226.8 million that the first installment ‘Taken’ earned.

The critically-acclaimed Argo, directed also by Affleck, earned $20.1 million in its second week, and easily kept its No. 2 spot while also garnering a A+ CinemaScore, ensuring that the movie will run throughout the awards season.

Argo’s story revolves around the 1979 Iranian hostage crisis and the escape of six Americans hiding in the Canadian embassy, thanks to cover provided by a fake movie production, staged by Tony Mendez, and played by Affleck in the movie.

Taking the No. 3 position is Sinister, the supernatural horror flick, which grossed $18.3 million over the weekend and has turned out to be the most profitable of the top movies as its budget was about $3 million.

Also at No. 4, is ‘Hotel Transylvania’, which in its third weekend, crossed the $100 million mark, and according to experts and Sony officials, are exceeding industry expectation in showing no signs of slowing down.

Another Sony offering titled ‘Here comes the Boom’, starring Kevin James and Salma Hayek grossed $12 million to take the No. 5 spot.