'The Conjuring' scares up $41.5M to top box office; 'Despicable Me' holds on to 2nd place

July 21, 2013 at 11:03PM
In this publicity image released by Warner Bros. Pictures, Lili Taylor portrays Carolyn Perron, left, and Joey King portrays Christine in a scene from "The Conjuring." The films opens nationwide on Friday, July 19.
In this publicity image released by Warner Bros. Pictures, Lili Taylor portrays Carolyn Perron, left, and Joey King portrays Christine in a scene from "The Conjuring." The films opens nationwide on Friday, July 19. (Associated Press - Ap/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

SAN DIEGO — Moviegoers were ready for a fright this weekend, sending "The Conjuring" into first place at the box office.

According to studio estimates Sunday, the Warner Bros. haunted-house horror debuted with $41.5 million in domestic ticket sales, unseating the two-week champ, "Despicable Me 2." The Universal film dropped to second place with $25 million.

Fox's new animated offering, "Turbo," opened with $21.5 million, good for third place.

The Sony comedy "Grown Ups 2" held onto fourth place in its second week of release, earning $20 million.

Summit Entertainment's "Red 2," which stars Bruce Willis and Helen Mirren as retired CIA operatives, debuted in fifth place with $18.5 million.

The weekend's other new big release, the Jeff Bridges-Ryan Reynolds caper "R.I.P.D.," opened with a disappointing $12.76 million.

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