Affleck's Acclaimed ARGO Nabs Second Place at Box Office; TAKEN 2 Stays on Top

Ben Affleck's criticall acclaimed ARGO took the second place spot in this weekend's box office, netting about $20.1 million. 

Oscar® winner Ben Affleck (“The Town,” “Good Will Hunting”) directs and stars in “Argo.” Based on real events, the dramatic thriller “Argo” chronicles the life-or-death covert operation to rescue six Americans, which unfolded behind the scenes of the Iran hostage crisis, focusing on the little-known role that the CIA and Hollywood played—information that was not declassified until many years after the event. On November 4, 1979, as the Iranian revolution reaches its boiling point, militants storm the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, taking 52 Americans hostage. But, in the midst of the chaos, six Americans manage to slip away and find refuge in the home of Canadian Ambassador Ken Taylor. Knowing it is only a matter of time before the six are found out and likely killed, the Canadian and American governments ask the CIA to intervene. The CIA turns to their top “exfiltration” specialist, Tony Mendez, to come up with a plan to get the six Americans safely out of the country. A plan so incredible, it could only happen in the movies.

Once again, 20th Century Fox's TAKEN 2 held the number one position, making $22.5 million. After two weeks, TAKEN 2 has earned $86.8 million, Hollywood.com reported. The rest of the top five grossing movies this weekend included: SINISTER, $18.3 million; HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA, $17.3 million; HERE COMES THE BOOM, $12 million.