The action film “Taken” took number one at the box office this weekend, raking in $24.6 million — even after having to compete with Super Bowl Sunday. The PG-13 rated thriller stars Liam Neeson as a father hunting the brutal kidnappers of his daughter.
Meanwhile, Kevin James’ comedy “Paul Blart: Mall Cop” continued its ride on the top of the film gross list. In this its third weekend, the film took second place with $14 million, marking a total of $83.4 million.
Another newcomer “The Uninvited”, a thriller about a former psychiatric patient stalked by a maniac, took in $10.5 million and third place. The film is a remake of the highest-grossing Korean horror film to date, “A Tale of Two Sisters” (2003), directed by Ji-woon Kim.
The canine comedy “Hotel for Dogs” was fourth with $8.7 million, while Clint Eastwood’s “Gran Torino” was No. 5 with $8.6 million. The drama has taken in $111 million since its release two months ago. Renee Zellweger’s romantic comedy “New in Town” was the only other major new release. It was eighth with $6.75 million.
Despite a traditionally slow weekend at theaters, the film industry concluded its strongest January on record. It racked up more than $1 billion in ticket sales and boosted attendance 17 percent over 2008, according to studio estimates from Media by Numbers.
Box Office Grosses
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| Rank | Title | Weekend | Total Gross |
| 1 | Taken (2008/I) | $24.6M | $24.6M |
| 2 | Paul Blart: Mall Cop (2009) | $14M | $83.4M |
| 3 | The Uninvited (2009) | $10.5M | $10.5M |
| 4 | Hotel for Dogs (2009) | $8.71M | $48.2M |
| 5 | Gran Torino (2008) | $8.6M | $111M |
| 6 | Slumdog Millionaire (2008) | $7.68M | $67.2M |
| 7 | Underworld: Rise of the Lycans (2009) | $7.2M | $32.8M |
| 8 | New in Town (2009) | $6.75M | $6.75M |
| 9 | My Bloody Valentine (2009) | $4.26M | $44.6M |
| 10 | Inkheart (2008) | $3.7M | $12.8M |
