ZERO DARK THIRTY Takes Weekend Box Office with $24M

Related: ZERO DARK THIRTY, Box Office,

ZERO DARK THIRTY Takes Weekend Box Office with $24M Zero Dark Thirty officially captured the number one spot at this weekend's box office. Kathryn Bigelow's film over-performed, taking in $24 million, after expanding across the county, its 'Best Picture' Oscar nomination - and the intense criticism it's received.

Many claim THIRTY advocates and promotes the use of torture in matters of international security, particularly the role it played in the manhunt for Osama bin Laden. Sony and Bigelow, however, do not agree.

The film was nominated for five Academy Awards, including 'Best Picture' and its leading lady, Jessica Chastain, for 'Best Actress.'

Directed and co-produced by Kathryn Bigelow with a screenplay by Mark Boal, both associated with The Hurt Locker, also features Chris Pratt, James Gandolfini, Joel Edgerton, EdgaR Ramirez, and Mark Strong.

Marlon Wayans' A HAUNTED HOUSE, despite its scathing reviews (it sits at just 10% on Rotten Tomatoes), came in second with a solid $18 million.

Perhaps the greatest upset of the weekend came from Warner Bros.' GANGSTER SQUAD, featuring an all star cast including Ryan Gosling, Sean Penn, and Emma Stone. The studio overshot in its intitial expectation of $20 million for the weekend. GANGSTER, however, was shooting blanks with audiences, taking in only $16 million.

Page 2 >>