Sideshow: Kim K. not afraid of Sandy

Thanks for waiting

Speaking of which, it took three weeks, but Argo finally found its way to the top of the box office. The Warner Bros. thriller from director/star Ben Affleck, inspired by the rescue of six U.S. embassy workers during the 1979 Iranian hostage crisis, made nearly $12.4 million over the weekend, according to studio estimates. Argo, in second place for two weeks, has now made about $60.8 million total.

Hotel Transylvania, from Sony Pictures Animation, was second, with $9.5 million in domestic sales, and a total of $130.4 million since its release a month ago.

Debuting at No. 3 was the sprawling, star-studded Cloud Atlas, which made a disappointing $9.4 million. Also from Warner Bros., it features an ensemble cast including Tom Hanks, Halle Berry and Hugh Grant playing multiple roles over six story lines.

It was a soft weekend for other newcomers. The horror sequel Silent Hill: Revelation 3-D from Open Road Films debuted at No. 5 with $8 million, and the Paramount Halloween comedy Fun Size arrived in 10th place with just over $4 million. Chasing Mavericks, a Fox 2000 surfing drama, didn't even open in the top 12 - it came in at No. 13 with $2.2 million.