Weekend Box Office: America Shows Its Love Of Stupid

If there's one thing almost as certain as death and taxes, it's this: if a movie is based on a ridiculous premise, involving people doing completely stupid things, and including absurd comedy that only a thirteen year old should appreciate, Americans will turn up and make it one of the most profitable movies of the year.

The debut of Jackass 3-D didn't just stop at having the largest opening of the three Jackass movies. It was such a huge success in fact that the $50 million it earned this weekend for the number one spot marks the biggest opening for any fall movie (September through October).

The first Jackass movie, which was produced on a simple $5 million budget, banked a whopping $22 million its first weekend and went on to make almost $64 million in the US alone. Jackass: Number 2 was bankrolled for $11.5 million and opened at $29 million with $72 million in total sales. With this third movie topping the franchise yet again, it looks like we might have to put with Johnny Knoxville and gang sticking pincered animals down their pants long after they're wearing Depends.

Red took a distant second place with only $22.5 million. That puts it against a steep earning curve to recover its $58 million budget. A sad sign that the movie's title might also reflect its financial condition.

For the full weekend top ten report, check out the chart below:

1. Jackass 3-D * $50,000,000  -  Total: $50,000,000 LW: N     WR: 1     THTRS: 3,081

2. Red * $22,500,000  -  Total: $22,500,000 LW: N     WR: 1     THTRS: 3,255

3. The Social Network $11,000,000  -  Total: $63,119,000 LW: 1     WR: 3     THTRS: 2,868

4. Secretariat $9,503,000  -  Total: $27,517,000 LW: 3     WR: 2     THTRS: 3,072

5. Life as We Know It $9,200,000  -  Total: $28,865,000 LW: 2     WR: 2     THTRS: 3,150

6. Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole $4,235,000  -  Total: $46,002,000 LW: 4     WR: 4     THTRS: 2,502

7. The Town $4,040,000  -  Total: $80,574,000 LW: 6     WR: 5     THTRS: 2,368

8. My Soul to Take $3,161,000  -  Total: $11,907,000 LW: 5     WR: 2     THTRS: 2,529

9. Easy A $2,650,000  -  Total: $52,334,000 LW: 8     WR: 5     THTRS: 2,314

10. Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps $2,350,000  -  Total: $47,882,000 LW: 7     WR: 4     THTRS: 2,045