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(Reuters) - "Paranormal Activity 2," a low-budget successor to last year's surprise chiller, got an early start on Halloween by scaring up a hefty $41.5 million during its first three days at the North American box office, distributor Paramount Pictures said on Sunday.
The haunted-house film shocked not only thrill seekers -- as expected -- but industry forecasters, who had predicted an opening in the $20 million range.
"I'm definitely surprised," said Don Harris, Paramount's executive VP for distribution, who had given the film an outside chance of cracking $30 million.
Its No. 1 opening gives the Viacom Inc unit the top two films across the United States and Canada, with last weekend's overperformer "Jackass 3D" slipping to No. 2 with $21.6 million. The two-week haul for the third entry in the prankster franchise rose to $87.1 million, exceeding the lifetime totals of its two predecessors.
"Paranormal 2" also earned about $22 million from 21 foreign markets, Paramount said. Britain led the field with a $6 million opening, although it was not immediately clear where the film ranked.
With a production cost of just $3 million, the movie should generate good profits for Paramount. The first film cost about $15,000 to make, and ended up with $107 million in North America, driven almost exclusively by word-of-mouth in the deliberate absence of a major marketing campaign.
Harris said the aim of the new film -- which actually serves as a prequel -- was to retain the fans of the original while expanding its mainstream appeal.
Sales comparisons with the first film are difficult since it played in limited release before rising to No. 1 with a $21 million haul in its fifth weekend.
Also new to the top 10 was Clint Eastwood's latest directing effort "Hereafter," which came in at No. 4 with a modest $12 million. Matt Damon stars in Warner Bros' $50 million supernatural thriller, which garnered mixed reviews.
"We're in the marathon business with (Eastwood), not the sprint," said Dan Fellman, president of domestic distribution at the Time Warner Inc unit. "It's always about week three or four."

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