Even though summer hasn’t officially started yet, the box office has seen several major films released in the past few weeks.  Films like “Fast & Furious 6” and “Iron Man 3” have raked in millions, but the success these films have had pales in comparison to the movie that topped the box office this weekend–“The Purge.”

“The Purge” is a horror flick that raked in a stunning $36.4 million over the weekend.  While that might not sound like a ridiculous amount for a summer blockbuster, here is what makes it stand out from the other summer movies–the film was made on a $3 million budget.  It’s not often, if ever, that a movie brings in more than ten times what it cost to produce in the opening weekend. To make those figures sound even more impressive, experts only expected the film to only bring in $17 million during its time in the theaters.  According to Paul Dergarabedian, an analyst for box-office tracker Hollywood.com, “[This film] proves that R-rated horror films, no matter the budget, always have a place with audiences.”

“Paranormal Activity” producer Jason Blum was at the helm for “The Purge,” which stars Ethan Hawke.  The movie takes place in 2022 in a near Utopian America where once each year, there is a 12-hour window where any crime goes–even murder. This rule is in place because unemployment and crime rates are extremely low, so citizens are given the opportunity to vent and let out rage each year. Not only does all crime go, all emergency services are suspended. Hawke’s character James Sandin finds himself in a difficult situation when a group of strangers wearing scary masks and wielding machetes break into his home and try to kill his family.

Despite the shocking numbers posted this weekend, critical reception for “The Purge” has been abysmal and the film received 41 percent on the Rotten Tomatoes meter.  Some critics called the film “a product of uninspired film-making” and a “mediocre home invasion film.”  Perhaps moviegoers were simply starved for a scary movie with all of the comedies and superhero films out and that contributed to most of its success. Regardless of the reason, the movie certainly made its mark in week one.

In addition to topping the box office for the weekend, “The Purge” also beat out the new Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson film “The Internship.”  Nikki Rocco, president of distribution, said that the film was “bigger than anybody expected.”  The film will likely enjoy only one week at the top of the box office since the new Superman movie “Man of Steel” opens next weekend.