Moviegoers (mostly families) were checking in to “Hotel Transylvania” this weekend more than any other film. It scored a very strong $39 million. The film with the all-star, mostly SNL vocal cast has met with a welcome reception, especially in the 3D showings.

A distant second it’s opening weekend was the sc-fi time travel action film with the surprise ending, “Looper.” It loped along with a total of $20.5 million.

The violent buddy cops movie set in South Los Angeles, “End of Watch,” finished third with a total of $7.8 million. “Trouble With the Curve” starring Clint Eastwood is still was having trouble selling tickets. It took in just $7.5 million and has underperformed since it opened. In fifth place with $7.1 million was the horror film “House at the End of the Street.”

As we stand on the cusp of what looks to be a strong end-of-the-year at the movies, Liam Neeson returns this coming weekend in “Taken 2,” or “Never Take Your Family to a Foreign Country.” Doesn’t he ever learn?

For more on the weekend’s movie box office totals, click on the link below.

http://www.boxoffice.com/statistics/bo_numbers/early_estimate/2012-09-29