‘Gravity’ Rockets to No. 1 at Box Office; A staggering 80% of the studio’s estimate of $55.6 million in opening-weekend domestic ticket sales came from locations playing “Gravity” in 3-D

Updated October 6, 2013, 7:18 p.m. ET

‘Gravity’ Rockets to No. 1 at Box Office

3-D Sci-Fi Thriller Draws $55.5 Million in Opening Weekend

BEN FRITZ

Science-fiction thriller “Gravity” set an October box-office record this weekend and showed that audiences still will choose 3-D screenings for movies they believe are worth the higher price. A staggering 80% of the studio’s estimate of $55.6 million in opening-weekend domestic ticket sales came from locations playing “Gravity” in 3-D. Critics generally raved about the film, which stars Sandra Bullock and George Clooney, and recommended the 3-D version. The 3-D sales rate was higher than it was for the opening weekends of such hits as “Avatar,” “Life of Pi” and “Alice in Wonderland.”

The success of “Gravity” came in a year when audiences often have opted out of paying more to see images pop from the screen. Family pictures such as “Turbo” and “Despicable Me 2” generated less than 30% of their box-office receipts from 3-D screenings this year.

“Eighty percent is mind boggling, given that the domestic market has settled in with a much lower ratio on big movies in recent times,” said Dan Fellman, the president of domestic distribution for Time Warner Inc.’s TWX +1.79% Warner Bros., which released “Gravity.”

Hollywood studios still are likely to cut back on 3-D versions, in light of the dismal showings this year. But the weekend will provide ammunition for filmmakers who, like “Gravity” director Alfonso Cuarón, can argue that the technology is integral to their work and part of a groundbreaking visual accomplishment.

The weekend’s results also could boost the confidence of studios that want to release big-budget movies in the early fall. Such movies typically are released in the summer, around the holidays or in March, while autumn generally has been the time for inexpensive dramas and genre movies. “Gravity” cost about $105 million to produce.

Digital and large-format screens from IMAX Corp. also did well with “Gravity,” accounting for 20% of receipts, though such theaters account for just 9% of the movie’s screens.

The previous record holder for the biggest ever October opening was the low-budget horror sequel “Paranormal Activity 3,” with $52.6 million in 2011.

Though “Gravity” was a risky project—unlike most $100 million-plus movies, it has an original story and a female protagonist—it appears poised to be a financial success. Mr. Fellman said that based on exit-poll data he expected word of mouth to be strong, which should keep ticket sales high in coming weeks.

“We’re already seeing repeat business,” he said.

“Gravity” opened in 27 markets overseas and took in a healthy $27.4 million, with particularly strong results in Russia, Germany and Australia.

The weekend’s other new film, the poker movie “Runner Runner,” folded in “Gravity’s” wake, opening in third place to a weak $7.6 million.

It was a disappointment for financier New Regency Productions and distributor Twentieth Century Fox, which is owned by 21st Century Fox Inc. FOXA +1.51% The movie, with Justin Timberlake and Ben Affleck, cost about $30 million to make and its opening was the lowest for Mr. Affleck since 2006. (Fox until June was part of the same company as The Wall Street Journal.)

“Runner Runner” did better internationally, taking in $23.7 million in 52 foreign markets since opening last week.

“Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2” was in second place for the weekend, at $21.5 million. The Sony Corp. SNE -0.19% movie was released the previous weekend.