Box office: ‘Insidious: Chapter 2’ is scaring up big numbers

In a continuation of a theme for 2013, the horror sequel “Insidious: Chapter 2” looks to be another big hit for the horror genre.

After “The Conjuring,” “Mama” and “The Purge” took in solid box office numbers against comparatively lower budgets this year, the sequel to 2011’s “Insidious” earned more than $20 million on Friday according to estimates. That figure puts the film on a pace to earn more than $35 million, which was its expected total this weekend based on pre-release audience surveys.

Despite generally negative reviews from critics, the scary sequel directed by James Wan and starring Patrick Wilson and Rose Byrne bettered the opening of the original, which debuted with $13.3 million on its way to earning $54 million in U.S. and Canada.

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The weekend’s other newcomer, the Luc Besson-directed “The Family” starring Robert De Niro opened to mediocre ticket sales, taking in an estimated $5.4 million. The figures continue a trend of middling box office performance for the 70-year-old De Niro, who is coming off an Oscar-nominated turn in “Silver Linings Playbook” last year but otherwise has appeared as part of ensemble casts in romantic comedies, including “The Big Wedding” and “New Year’s Eve.”

Based on Friday’s numbers, the weekend’s top five looks to be rounded out by “Riddick” with an estimated $2.2 million, “We’re the Millers” with $1.7 million and “Lee Daniels’ the Butler,” which earned $1.6 million.

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Twitter: @chrisbarton