As the first nationwide box office release of 2014, Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones garnered substantial box office sales, with an estimated $8.7 million. Movie enthusiasts are actually expecting the film’s overall weekend sales to top $19 million.

While the numbers were quite impressive, the ever-popular scare film series did suffer a minor setback, due to the severe weather conditions currently plaguing the East Coast.

The increase in snowfall definitely served as a contributing factor to the slight box office sales decline in major metropolitan areas such as New York City, Boston, and Detroit. The near-freezing temperatures in the Midwest are another factor for this week’s economic downturn in box office sales.

The film, which accumulated $5 million in production costs, is actually the foundation for yet another scare series. The Marked Ones is actually a flagship that producers are looking to develop into a new film franchise. The film which stars, Andrew Jacobs and Gabrielle Walsh, was produced by Blumhouse Productions CEO, Jason Blum and Oren Peli.

According to Hollywood Reporter, The Marked Ones chronicles a different aspect of paranormal activity, with an emphasis on the overall effects of demonic possession. It also delves into the cultural history and underground practices of black magic rituals, which are accredited for fighting such demonic opposition.

The film is expected to garner a substantial sales spike for the film franchise, which has already generated more than an estimated $350 million domestically since the first series release on September 25, 2009.

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After extensive review, the found-footage film received a C- CinemaScore. Although most wouldn’t consider a C- a highly lauded score, it’s actually not unusual for a horror film.

Disney’s animated musical Frozen held tight to the No. 2 spot for Friday box office sales, with an estimated $6.7 million. The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug landed in the third sport with reported sales of $5.1 million.

Are you prepared? Watch this video & go see Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones in theaters NOW! http://t.co/yqun8M86dd

— Paranormal Activity (@TweetYourScream) January 3, 2014

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