Despite a variety of strong box office performers, comedian Kevin James' "Paul Blart: Mall Cop" exceeded expectations and landed atop the box office charts with a studio estimated $33.80 million. Overall, four movies crossed $20 million for the weekend, with the box office soaring past figures from January of 2008.
The PG comedy "Paul Blart" made an impressive $10,751 per theater over the weekend as it reached both family and adult demographics. In addition, without a single wide release comedy on the release schedule until January 30, the $26 million production "Blart" should remain the number one comedy through the end of the month. When its theatrical run is completed, a domestic total of $80 to $90 million now seems likely, which would make it a noteworthy success for distributor Sony/Columbia.
As "Paul Blart" got off to an unanticipated great start, Clint Eastwood's drama "Gran Torino" also continued to do well with audiences, earning $22.24 million in its second weekend in wide release. "Torino" has hauled in more than $70 million domestically so far and has a very good opportunity to reach the $100 million mark, a rarity for a production with a budget of only $33 million.
The most impressive release of the weekend, however, was the biopic "Notorious," based on the life of famed rapper Notorious B.I.G. "Notorious" made $13,126 per theater - easily the highest total of any film in the top ten - and $21.50 million overall for distributor Fox Searchlight. With such an impressive per venue total, "Notorious" should expand from its 1,638-theater opening and continue to be a strong box office performer for the remainder of January.
"My Bloody Valentine 3-D" also posted impressive numbers, with a studio estimated $21.90 million weekend intake on a per theater average of $8,642. Despite the presence of "The Unborn" in only its second weekend in theaters, "Valentine" reached its intended demographic and will likely maintain its control of thrill-seeking audiences over the next week or so.
Overshadowed by the impressive totals of "Paul Blart" and movies like "Notorious," "Hotel For Dogs" also got off to a solid, but not spectacular, start. "Hotel For Dogs" made $17.70 million on a per theater average of $5,413, meaning it should maintain a steady amount of screenings in the coming weeks.
War film "Defiance" also received its wide expansion over the weekend as it moved to 1,789 theaters across the country. With a studio estimated $9.21 million over the weekend, the drama starring Daniel Craig saw adequate numbers, but with a series of dramas expanding next weekend, it should slip well out of the top ten shortly.
Sliding back into the top ten was "Slumdog Millionaire," which hauled in $5.90 million over the weekend. After winning a slew of awards, including Best Picture at both the Golden Globes and the National Board of Review ceremony, "Slumdog" has maintained a strong hold at the box office. In its tenth weekend, "Slumdog" earned $10,137 per theater and has crossed $40 million domestically despite a budget of just $15 million. With "Slumdog" expected to get a series of Academy Awards nominations this Thursday, it should continue to make a dent at the box office well into February.
The weekend also saw "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" and "Bedtime Stories" both slip over $100 million domestically. "Bedtime Stories" marks the third consecutive time - and fifth time out of six - that Adam Sandler has starred in a movie that has crossed the $100 million mark. Like "Slumdog," "Benjamin Button" should also continue to do well in the next few weeks, as it will likely receive a bevy of Academy Awards nominations, which typically gives a substantial boost to box office numbers.
Early Studio Box Office Estimates For 1/16 - 1/18, [RTT Estimate]:
1) Paul Blart: Mall Cop (Sony/Columbia): $33.80 [$13.5]
2) Gran Torino (Warner Brothers): $22.24 [$18]
3) My Bloody Valentine 3-D (Lionsgate): $21.90 [$16.5]
4) Notorious (Fox Searchlight): $21.50 [$15]
5) Hotel For Dogs (Paramount/Dreamworks): $17.70 [$17.5]
6) Bride Wars (Fox): $11.75 [$11]
7) The Unborn (Universal): $9.85 [$9]
8) Defiance (Paramount Vantage): $9.21 [$7]
9) Marley and Me (Fox): $6.33 [$6]
10) Slumdog Millionaire (Fox Searchlight): $5.90 [N/A]
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June 12, 2026 17:14 ET Major central bank action was the focus this week in economic news. The European Central Bank became the first major central bank to move in response to the rising inflationary pressures in the backdrop of the conflict in the Middle East. In North America, the U.S. inflation and trade data as well as Canada’s central bank decision gained attention. The Chinese trade data was the main news in Asia.