Gravity hit theaters with astounding success on the weekend of October 4 and has continued to be a popular choice in its second week.
According to ABC News, the space film brought in $44.3 million over the weekend, raising its total earnings in the U.S. to $123.4 million.
Gravity stars Sandra Bullock and George Clooney as astronauts, left alone in space when their shuttle is destroyed. Thus far, it has received significant media attention and is even a part of Oscar conversation, reports Business Week.
The film’s visual effects are said to be one of its most impressive characteristics. According to CNN, real-life NASA astronaut Michael Massimino said, “What I was amazed at was the detail, the accuracy of things like the Hubble Space Telescope, the Space Shuttle, our payload bay. I saw some of my tools floating behind (actress) Sandra Bullock's head.”
The director of Avatar, James Cameron, described Gravity as "the best space photography ever done.” He said, “I was stunned, absolutely floored…I think it’s I think it’s the best space film ever done, and it’s the movie I’ve been hungry to see for an awful long time.”
Gravity’s success in its opening weeks speaks to the quality of the film’s effects and may foreshadow significant recognition at this year’s Oscars.