`` Chronicle '' sacked `` The Woman in Black '' at the box office on Super Bowl weekend , but both modestly-budgeted films exceeded industry expectations and brought in strong grosses for their respective studios . Fox 's $ 15 million found footage film `` Chronicle , '' a thriller directed by newcomer Josh Trank about a trio of teenage boys who acquire super powers , soared into first place with $ 22 million in its first three days . That gave the film a potent $ 7,568 per theater average -- the best in the Top 20 . Awareness for `` Chronicle '' appeared disconcertingly low a few weeks ago , but thanks to an aggressive TV marketing push , a viral video advertisement ( `` Flying People in New York City '' ) , and , perhaps most notably , the film 's zeitgeist-y found footage appeal , the adventure managed to bring young people to the theater in droves . The surprise hit received an average `` B '' CinemaScore grade , with generations divided on the found footage factor : Audiences under 18 gave the movie a `` B+ '' , while audiences above 50 issued it a `` D+ '' . Thankfully for Fox , older moviegoers do n't make up `` Chronicle 's '' target demographic . Despite the average grade , with reviews so much stronger than most films aimed at teens , and an encouraging 18 percent bump on Saturday ( which suggests positive word-of-mouth ) , `` Chronicle '' might not plummet at the box office the way `` F '' graded `` The Devil Inside '' did a few weeks ago . There 's no telling how high `` Chronicle '' will end up flying at the box office just yet , but with its impressive debut frame , the film is already a big hit . While the execs at Fox are clinking their champagne glasses together , the suits over at CBS Films are likely getting ready to throw an all-out party after the the second-place debut of `` The Woman in Black , '' which earned $ 21 million this weekend and became the young studio 's first real hit . The supernatural spookfest , which CBS acquired for just $ 3 million from British financier Hammer Film Productions , succeeded in capturing young viewers ( especially young women ) on opening weekend , and Harry Potter himself , Daniel Radcliffe , proved his drawing power outside of the Potter franchise -- something the Twilight stars have yet to do . `` The Woman in Black '' earned a lackluster `` B- '' CinemaScore grade , but , like `` Chronicle , '' the film has already proved itself a major success . In third , Liam Neeson 's snowy survival entry `` The Grey '' dipped 52 percent to $ 9.5 million , giving it a ten-day total of $ 34.8 million . Do n't be deceived by the brisk decline . Because of the Super Bowl , which will keep over 100 million Americans in their living rooms and out of theaters , studios are estimating drops in the 70 percent-range on Sunday , which causes most titles to have larger-than-usual weekend drops . `` The Grey '' is doing well . `` Big Miracle , '' Universal 's family-friendly option starring Drew Barrymore as a woman attempting to save three whales locked inside Alaskan ice , swam away with a rather chilly $ 8.5 million in its first three days . The film , made for just under $ 40 million , could n't capture the same size audience as fellow aquatic mammal offering , `` Dolphin Tale , '' which started with $ 19.2 million on its way to a $ 72.3 million total last September . With an `` A- '' CinemaScore grade and strong playability among families , `` Big Miracle '' may hold well in the weeks to come . As it stands now , though , this whale tale looks dead in the water . `` Underworld Awakening '' rounded out the Top 5 , dipping 55 percent to $ 5.6 million . The $ 70 million 3D vampire action film has amassed $ 54.4 million after three weekends , making it the second-highest grossing film of 2012 . What 's ahead of it ? Kate Beckinsale 's other action vehicle , `` Contraband , '' which has earned $ 61.2 million . Not a bad way to the start year ! A few milestones were achieved by Oscar contenders this weekend , too . `` The Descendants ' '' $ 4.6 million frame helped it scoot right past $ 65 million in its 12th week . Best Picture favorite `` The Artist '' dropped 22 percent to $ 2.6 million in its 11th week , breaking the $ 20 million plateau in the process . `` Hugo '' fell by only 8 percent ( the smallest drop in the Top 20 ) in its 11th week to $ 2.3 million , lifting its total out of the $ 50 million-range up to $ 62 million . ( It 's rumored to have cost over twice that amount . ) And `` The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo '' came this close to a key milestone , but for now , it will have to settle for a $ 99.9 million total . 1 . Chronicle -- $ 22.0 million . 2 . The Woman in Black -- $ 21.0 mil . 3 . The Grey -- $ 9.5 mil . 4 . Big Miracle -- $ 8.5 mil . 5 . Underworld Awakening -- $ 5.6 mil . See the full article at EW.com .
` ` , '' moved into first place with $ 22 million in its first three days . ` ` The Woman in Black , '' made $ 21 million this weekend . ` ` The Grey '' dipped 52 percent to $ 9.5 million , giving it a ten - day total of $ 34.8 million .