‘Gravity’ pulls in $55.6 million for biggest October opening ever

CEBU, Philippines - Alfonso Cuarón’s “Gravity” is already a hit with critics, but this weekend it saw gross ticket receipts to match, pulling in a total of $55.6 million in box office for the biggest October opening ever. That’s a career-best for both Sandra Bullock and George Clooney, and the second best of Cuarón’s career, after “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.”

It’s also a surprising victory for 3D. A typical movie will do about half its box office total in 3D screenings, but “Gravity” took in 80 percent from 3D tickets, suggesting moviegoers will still pay for a well-crafted 3D experience.

The distant number two was last week’s champion, “Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2.” The animated sequel raked in $21.5 million, Box Office Mojo said.

The only other debuting movie in the top five was the poorly reviewed thriller “Runner Runner,” which, according to Box Office Mojo figures, sold $7.6 million worth of tickets. That’s considered a disappointment, in light of the film’s estimated $30 million production budget.

Nos. 4 and 5 were “Prisoners” and “Rush.” The former, a dark crime drama, took in $5.7 million over the weekend. Ticket receipts for the period Formula 1 racing saga “Rush” dropped by more than 50% on a week-over-week basis, coming in at $4.4 million. (FREEMAN)