Big-budget Oscar contenders "Django Unchained" and "Les Miserables" were in for a big surprise this week. The critically acclaimed movies were beat out by the Lionsgate horror flick "Texas Chainsaw 3D."
"Texas Chainsaw" took the number one spot at the box office this weekend, earning $23 million across 2,654 theaters. "To reach this level is a very pleasant surprise," Lionsgate President of Domestic Distribution Richie Fey said, THR reports. One of the major reasons for the film's success is R&B singer Trey Songz. One in three moviegoers cited the artist's appearance in "Texas Chainsaw 3D" as the reason to see the movie.
Jamie Foxx, an Oscar winning actor who also moonlights as an R&B singer, took second place with "Django Unchained." The film, directed by Quentin Tarantino, made $20 million across 3,010 theaters, bringing its total gross to $106.3 million. With a $100 million budget, "Django Unchained" has now earned a profit.
Peter Jackson's "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" continued its successful box office run, taking the number three spot. The J.R.R. Tolkien adaptation made $17.5 million this weekend, bringing its total domestic gross to $263.8 million.
The film adaptation of "Les Miserables," starring Anne Hathaway, Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, and Amanda Seyfried dropped to number four this week. The movie made $16.1 million across 2,904 theaters. "Les Miserables" has made $103.6 million since its Dec. 25 release.
The latest comedy from Bette Midler, "Parental Guidance," edged in at number five. The movie, which also stars Billy Crystal, made $10.1 million this weekend, bringing its total gross to $52.7 million.
