Oregon Public Broadcasting

The film Coraline earned $16 million at the box office in its first weekend. As Kristian Foden-Vencil reports, the sum exceeds expectations and bodes well for Oregon’s film industry.

Coraline is the début production of Laika -- the Portland-based stop-animation studio run by Nike founder, Phil Knight, and his son Travis. 

The film is about the 3D adventures of an 11-year-old girl who finds an alternative universe.

It placed third in box-office takings -- beaten out by He’s Just Not That Into You, which earned $28 million, and Taken, which earned another $20 million. 

Coraline earned $16 million and beat Pink Panther 2, and the sci-fi thriller Push.

Despite the poor economy, audiences returned to the theaters in droves last month, with a 35% increase in receipts over the same week last year.