box office

YOUR WEAK-END BOX OFFICE: Though the multiplexes didn't exert much overall pull this weekend, Gravity continued its extra-terrestrial run, earning $31m in its third frame; the stunning Sandra Bullock space drama has now drawn $170.5m into its airlock. Finishing second, for the second time, is Captain Phillips, with $17.3m. The top debuts—horror remake Carrie and the Arnold-Sly vehicle Escape Plan—saw unspectacular receipts, while Wikileaks-based docudrama The Fifth Estate couldn't get arrested, making only $1.7m. Animated sequel Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2 (also inspired by the saga of Julian Assange, in its own way) has piled up $93.1m in a month. Oh, and it's far down the list now, but the 11-week tally of road comedy We're the Millers? A hefty $147.7m.

1. Gravity (WB) – $31m (-28.2%), 3,820/$8,123 avg. (week 3)
2. Captain Phillips (Sony) – $17.3m (-32.7%), 3,020/$5,728 avg. (week 2)
3. Carrie (Screen Gems) – $17m, 3,157/$5,385 avg. (debut)
4. Cloudy With a Chance ... (Sony) – $10.1m (26.7%), 3,602/$2,804 avg. (week 4)
5. Escape Plan (LG/S) – $9.8m, 2,883/$3,399 avg. (debut)

12 Years a Slave—already a leading contender for Best Picture, according to those who traffic in buzz—performed strongly in a platformed first frame, whipping up $50k per screen at a mere 19 art houses. Will it thrive when it goes wide? Stay tuned. (10/21a)