Michael Jackson’s This Is It debuted #1 at the box office, earning $21.3 million this weekend and a total of $32.5 million since opening. This is slightly below some expectations, but still a strong debut. The film is also expected to do big numbers overseas.

Paranormal Activity fell one spot to #2, earning $16.5 million and raising its six week total to $84.7 million. The film had the highest per theater average of any film in the top 10 with $6,880 per theater. The film had a budget of just $15,000.

Law Abiding Citizen fell one spot to #3, earning $7.3 million and raising its three week total to $51.3 million. The film had a budget of $50 million.

Couples Retreat fell one spot to #4, earning $6 million and raising its four week total to $86.6 million. The film had a budget of $70 million.

Saw VI fell three spots to #5, earning $5.5 million and raising its two week total to $22.8 million. The film had a budget of $11 million.

Where The Wild Things Are fell three spots to #6, earning $5.08 million and raising it three week total to $61.8 million. The film had a budget of $100 million.

The Stepfather actually jumped up one spot to #7, earning $3.4 million and raising its three week total to $24.7 million. The film had a budget of $20 million.

Astro Boy fell two spots to #8, earning $3.03 million in its second weekend, raising its total to $10.8 million. The film had a budget of $65 million.

Amelia fell two spots to #9 and earned $3 million over the weekend, raising its total to $8.3 million. The film had a budget of $40 million.

And Cirque du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant falls three spots and rounds out the top 10, earning $2.8 million in its second weekend to raise it’s total to $10.5 million. The film had a budget of $40 million.

BOX OFFICE TOP TEN
1. Michael Jackson’s This Is It - $21.3 million ($32.5 million)
2. Paranormal Activity - $16.5 million ($84.7 million)
3. Law Abiding Citizen - $7.3 million ($51.3 million)
4. Couples Retreat - $6 million ($86.6 million)
5. Saw VI- $5.5 million ($22.8 million)
6. Where The Wild Things Are - $5.08 million ($61.8 million)
7. The Stepfather - $3.4 million ($24.7 million)
8. Astro Boy - $3.03 million ($10.8 million)
9. Amelia - $3 million ($8.3 million)
10. Cirque du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant - $2.8 million ($10.5 million)