After the weekend’s dead heat at the box office, Sony’s “Takers” nabbed the top spot with revised figures totaling $20.5 million over Liongate’s “The Last Exorcism,” which took in $20.4 million.
Based on weekend estimates, Lionsgate’s scarer originally had won the weekend, beating “Takers” by a mere $300,000, but actuals gave the Sony heist pic enough steam to claim the No. 1 spot. Weekend estimates for “Exorcism” totaled $21.3 million, compared to the $21 million take for “Takers.”
Still, both new entries overperformed opening weekend, as insiders expected the pics to debut closer to the mid-teens.
“Takers” marks another notable gain for Sony after a list of top performers this summer, including “Karate Kid,” “Grown Ups” and “Salt.” The studio also claimed two other spots in the top five this weekend. “Eat Pray Love” grossed $6.8 million; “The Other Guys,” $6.3 million.
Meanwhile, Lionsgate occupied the remaining top spots, with “Exorcism” and “The Expendables,” which earned $9.5 million in its third frame.
