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Wreck-It Ralph and Flight each got off to strong starts on Friday, which suggests that Hurricane Sandy isn't having a negative effect on the box office. Denzel WashingtonBen Affleck

October box office got off to a phenomenal start thanks to Taken 2 and holdover grosses from Hotel Transylvania, but a weak end-of-month slate kept it from setting a new monthly record. Total grosses came in around $673 million, which is up 10 percent on 2011 but off from 2010 ($688 million) and current record-holder 2009 ($693 million). The biggest culprit for this slight miss is Paranormal Activity 4, which would have single-handedly covered the difference if it had performed in line with its predecessor. Ben AffleckKevin JamesTyler Perry

This weekend, three new movies will attempt to provide some escape for moviegoers in the Northeast who are still grappling with the ramifications of Hurricane Sandy. Denzel WashingtonRobert ZemeckisRussell Crowe

The final two months of the year typically deliver some of the biggest box office of the year, and the 2012 holiday season will fit nicely in to this mold thanks to guaranteed blockbusters The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2 and Skyfall. The prospects for the rest of the movies, like Life of Pi, Django Unchained and This Is 40, are less certain. It does at least look likely that the season as a whole will be strong enough to propel 2012 to a new yearly record. Tom HooperQuentin TarantinoChristoph WaltzJamie FoxxLeonardo DiCaprioSamuel L. JacksonBradley CooperJennifer LawrenceTom CruiseKatie HolmesJudd ApatowPaul RuddLeslie MannRobert ZemeckisDenzel Washington

Two weeks ahead of its U.S. debut, Skyfall scored an impressive $80.6 million from 25 foreign markets this weekend. In most territories, the 23rd James Bond flick improved significantly on star Daniel Craig's prior two entries, Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace, which went on to earn $427 million and $418 million, respectively. Adam Sandler

Four new nationwide releases all underperformed this weekend, which allowed Argo to move up to first place in its third outing. Overall business was fairly quiet, with the Top 12 off 13 percent from last year with $81.2 million.Tom TykwerTom Hanks

With the East Coast bracing for a major storm the box office slowed down significantly on Friday, which allowed crowd-pleasing holdover Argo to take first place ahead of weak newcomers Silent Hill: Revelation 3D and Cloud Atlas. Ben AffleckTyler Perry

The final weekend of October delivers four new nationwide releases, though none of them appear to have much potential. Without any likely breakouts and with a steep drop on the way for Paranormal Activity 4 there is a good chance that Argo takes first place in its third weekend.Tom Hanks

While domestic interest for Paranormal Activity is fading, it's never been higher overseas. The fourth installment in the franchise debuted to $26.4 million this weekend, which is up an average of 11 percent over its predecessor. That movie closed with $103 million, which is a good target for Paranormal Activity 4. Adam Sandler

Paranormal Activity 4 took first place at the box office this weekend, though its comparatively underwhelming gross suggests audiences are growing tired of the perennial horror franchise. Alex Cross also missed the mark, though overall box office was still up around 10 percent thanks to impressive holdover business from Argo and Hotel Transylvania. Ben AffleckLiam NeesonTyler PerryKevin James

As expected, Paranormal Activity 4 debuted in first place at the box office on Friday, though its gross was significantly lower than the last two movies in the franchise. The other new opener Alex Cross wasn't all that impressive either, and it's on pace for the worst debut ever for a movie starring Tyler Perry. Overall, though, business was booming on Friday thanks to impressive holdover performances from Argo, Hotel Transylvania and more.Ben Affleck

Midnight Update: Paranormal Activity 4 grossed an estimated $4.5 million last night. That combines 9 p.m. showtimes (which should be counted towards Thursday) and midnight showtimes (which belong in Friday). This debut is noticeably lower than Paranormal Activity 3 ($8 million at midnight only) and Paranormal Activity 2 ($6.3 million at midnight only). Based on this information, it looks unlikely that Paranormal Activity 4 will reach $40 million for the weekend. Tyler PerryMorgan Freeman

Taken 2 easily took the top spot at the overseas box office for the second-straight weekend, and has already made significantly more than its predecessor. Meanwhile, Ted reached its latest milestone, while tsunami drama The Impossible got off to an incredible start in Spain.

Five new nationwide releases couldn't take down Taken 2, which once again took first place at the box office this weekend. Among those newcomers, Argo and Sinister performed well while Here Comes the Boom, Seven Psychopaths and Atlas Shrugged: Part II were varying degrees of disappointing. Ben AffleckScott DerricksonKevin James

Sinister and Taken 2 were in a close race for first place on Friday, though Sinister's figure has been juiced a bit with Thursday night earnings. Argo was a solid third place performer, while the other three new nationwide releases disappointed.Ben AffleckKevin James

On the busiest weekend so far this Fall, five new nationwide releases will battle to see who can take the largest chunk of the box office pie, though first place will likely go to Taken 2 again. Argo and Sinister seem to be in the best position right now, while Here Comes the Boom will attempt to get in a few hits at over 3,000 locations. Seven Psychopaths and Atlas Shrugged: Part II are receiving much more modest releases and will both open outside of the Top Five. Ben AffleckScott Derrickson

Demonstrating the power of the sequel, Taken 2 rocked the foreign box office this weekend with grosses that were drastically higher than its predecessor's figures. Meanwhile, Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted continued to finally roll out in Europe and scored one of its best debuts yet.Seth MacFarlane

Leveraging good will from the first movie, Taken 2 dominated at the box office this weekend with one of the best October debuts ever. Pitch Perfect performed admirably in its nationwide expansion, while Frankenweenie bombed against tough holdover competition from Hotel Transylvania. The Top 12 earned $132.7 million this weekend, which is up a whopping 55 percent from the same frame last year.Tim BurtonJohnny Depp