Weekend Box Office Predictions Game: Enter Paranormal Activity

Before Paranormal Activity's inclusion, Where the Wild Things Are from Spike Jonze was heavily favored to finish first over fellow newcomers The Stepfather and Law Abiding Citizen as well as holdover Couples Retreat. Now all bets are off as horror faces off against children's fantasy for the top spot.

The Weekend Box Office Prophet game lets you predict what five individual films will make in millions at the box office from Friday through Sunday. The average participant scores will be weighed against the Prophet's score and if the Prophet loses, a prize or prizes will be awarded to one or more top players from that week. Last week the Prophet won. The week prior, you all did.

Weekly and cumulative scoring charts are available on the main game page. Good luck to all.

There are currently 49 players up against the Prophet

The entry period for October 16 - 18 has already ended. Follow the weekly results at the Weekend Box Office Prophet main page.

Law Abiding Citizen
Jamie Foxx and Gerard Butler co-star in this cat-and-mouse thriller opening on 2,700 screens. The ads are mildly intriguing but lack fantastical special effects that helped drive Surrogates to big opening numbers. Gamer and Stealth didn't exactly thrive with Butler and Foxx headlining, respectively, either.

All: $13.9   Me: n/a   Prophet: $8.6   Actual: $21.0

The Stepfather (2009)
The Stepfather lacks star power but did come into this weekend as the lone horror option two weeks shy of Halloween. That is until Paranormal Activity made mega bucks off extremely limited showings prompting a wide opening this upcoming weekend. 2,700 screens may be more than The Stepfather needs.

All: $11.0   Me: n/a   Prophet: $6.4   Actual: $11.6

Where The Wild Things Are
Spike Jonze brings the beloved children's book to life with ginormous creatures that kids will certainly fall for. The reviews have been overwhelmingly positive thus far (though I have yet to see a child share their thoughts) and there is no new youth-geared film to challenge it. Tack on over 3,500 screens and this heartwarming tale is poised to pop.

All: $25.7   Me: n/a   Prophet: $28.7   Actual: $32.7

Paranormal Activity
Paranormal Activity made over $7 million off roughly 150 screens last weekend and continues to be called one of the scariest films ever made. That's insane, especially considering it cost a mere $15k to make. Paramount has pledged to roll it out nationwide this upcoming weekend. For reference, The Blair Witch Project made $29.2 going wide into 1,100 theaters after a limited release back in 1999.

All: $18.9   Me: n/a   Prophet: $23.5   Actual: $19.6

Couples Retreat
Couples Retreat proved a valuable lesson to those players who rely solely on critic reviews for their predictions. Now entering its second weekend of release after a boffo $34.3 million opening, Retreat will finally face new competition but maintain the distinction of being the only widely available adult comedy.

All: $18.5   Me: n/a   Prophet: $15.6   Actual: $17.2