According to The Hollywood Reporter, the Halloween weekend debut of Lions Gate's Saw II scared up an estimated $30.5 million to easily grab the top spot at the boxoffice. The bow for the R-rated frightfest, produced by Twisted Pictures and Lions Gate, was a company best for the distributor, beating the $23.9 million of Fahrenheit 9/11. The opening for the Darren Lynn Bousman-helmed Saw II also marked the biggest debut this October and was the fifth-best all time for the month. The original Saw opened with $18.2 million during the same weekend last year, amassing a gross of $55.2 million by the end of its run.
Another sequel, Sony's The Legend of Zorro, left its mark on the second spot on its opening weekend with a moderate estimate of $16.5 million -- not quite on par with the original film's $22.5 million bow.
The Legend of Zorro galloped through the international boxoffice over the weekend, grossing an estimated $27 million from 6,140 prints in 50 territories, approximately 21% higher than the opening for The Mask of Zorro. Out of those 50 markets, the swashbuckler opened No. 1 in 40 countries, including France with an estimated $5.8 million from 690 prints, Spain with an estimated $2.8 million from 550 prints and Mexico with an estimated $1.4 million. The film also opened day and date in China, where it's estimated to have grossed just under $1.4 million from 250 screens. Sony is releasing the film in about 90% of the world's market, with Spyglass Entertainment, which holds international rights, having separate distribution arrangements lined up in a handful of countries including Japan, Australia and New Zealand, where the film has yet to be released.
SOJU AFTER MOVIE: SAW 2! Friday, March 3rd, 2006 - B. Alan & Mantooth serve up some Saw Poo with exclusive interviews from both the film's Stunt Coordinator and the Head Caterer!
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