Debuted on Friday, January 30, 20th Century Fox kidnapping thriller "Taken" has shot up to the top of the North American box office chart. Seizing $24.7 million over the three-day weekend, the Pierre Morel-directed film has won over "Paul Blart: Mall Cop", which has dominated the box office for two weekends in a row.
"Taken" doesn't stop only at stealing "Paul Blart" #1 position since it has also secured itself as the second-biggest Super Bowl opening. The Liam Neeson-starring CIA thriller lands behind "Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert Tour", which collected $31.1 million over 2008 Super Bowl weekend.
The Associated Press further reports that "Taken" has helped fuel the first $1 billion January in Hollywood history. "We are thrilled. It's an all-audience movie," comments 20th Century Fox distribution executive Bert Livingston on their film's success. "When people come out they are going to talk about it. I think it's going to play for a long time."
Slipping down to the second place is "Paul Blart: Mall Cop". Facing 35.8% decrease in sales over the weekend, the comedy film from Kevin James grosses $13.9 million to the total of $83.2 million. "Mall Cop" is closely followed by another thriller, "The Uninvited". Landing third place on the chart, the remake of 2003 Korean film rakes in $10.3 million.
The fourth and fifth positions go to "Hotel for Dogs" and "Gran Torino". While family comedy "Hotel for Dogs" manages to hold on to its position from last week with $8.6 million, Clint Eastwood's action drama "Gran Torino" falls down two slots, pulling in $8.2 million for the total earning of $110.2 million.
Top Ten Movies at Weekend Box Office for January 30 - February 1:
 |   Fireflies Owl City |
 | Empire State of Mind Jay-Z |
 | 3 Britney Spears |
 | Party in the U.S.A Miley Cyrus |
 | Down Jay Sean |
 | Paparazzi Lady GaGa |
 | Meet Me Halfway Black Eyed Peas |
 | Bad Romance Lady GaGa |
 | Run This Town Jay-Z |
 | Sweet Dreams Beyonce Knowles |
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