The Grey, starring Liam Neeson (pictured), took $20 million last weekend, according to latest figures.
Distributor Open Road Films acquired the film for about $5 million and had projected up to $12 million in debut weekend sales.
The film, which played at 3185 North American cinemas, beat the forecast because “it doesn't look like every other movie out there. In a crowded marketplace, I think it’s important to be distinctive”, said Open Road Films chief executive Tom Ortenberg.
