Over the past few years, "Paranormal Activity" series has established itself as one of the most inexpensive and reliable horror franchises around.

Produced for pennies, they've consistently opened strong at the box office, ensuring a fast and efficient turnaround. The latest film, "Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones," accomplished that goal, and did so without grabbing the No. 1 spot.

While people may love found footage demons,it turns out that they love animated singing princesses more.

FilmWeekendTo Date
1Frozen$20.7 million$297.8 million
2Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones$18.2 million$18.2 million
3The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug$16.3 million$229.6 million
4The Wolf of Wall Street$13.4 million$63.3 million
5American Hustle$13.2 million$88.7 million
6Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues$11.1 million$109.2 million
7Saving Mr. Banks$9.1 million$59.3 million
8The Secret Life of Walter Mitty$8.2 million $34.0 million
9The Hunger Games: Catching Fire$7.4 million$407.5 million
10Grudge Match$5.4 million$24.9 million

 

With its $18 million opening, "Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones" has already more than paid for itself and a decent chunk of whatever it cost to market it. However, it's a far cry from some of the other openings in the franchise (and it's low compared to January horror offerings in past years).

The film that beat it for the No. 1 spot, Disney's "Frozen" had a strong opening in November, and continues strong. After being in theaters for two months, the film only climbed back to the top of the box office charts with $20 million, bringing its total to $297 million.

If it continues playing strong, it could dethrone "Despicable Me 2" as the highest grossing animated film released in 2013. In any case, "Frozen" has essentially guaranteed its place as one of the most successful films in Disney animation's history.

In third place, "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug" grossed $16 million for a $229 million total. At this rate, it's looking like this will be the lowest grossing of Peter Jackson's Middle-earth movies.

In fourth place, "The Wolf of Wall Street"' took a dip to $13 million, bringing its total gross to $63 million.

Right below it, "American Hustle" the warm, fuzzy yin to 'Wolf's yang, grossed $13 million for an $88 million total. It should hit $100 million next week, getting there even faster than director David O. Russell's "Silver Linings Playbook" did last year.

"Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues" crossed the $100 million mark with an $11 million weekend, achieving a milestone the original 2004 film missed by nearly $20 million.

Meanwhile, "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire" is less than $2 million away from dethroning "Iron Man 3" as the highest grossing 2013 release.

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