‘Paranormal’ conjures $600,000 Thursday; ‘Jem and the Holograms’ starts slow

Horror sequel “Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension” showed signs of life at the box office in Thursday night preview shows, though it is not expected to win the weekend.

The Paramount Pictures found-footage flick, the sixth in the franchise, took in $600,000 from early screenings and is expected to pull $10 million to $12 million through the weekend in its domestic debut.

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On the heels of “Paranormal” was Lionsgate’s Vin Diesel action movie “The Last Witch Hunter,” projected to gross $17 million or so through Sunday in the U.S. and Canada. The fantasy movie grossed $525,000 in ticket sales Thursday night.

Universal’s nationwide expansion of “Steve Jobs” is expected to battle “The Last Witch Hunter” for the top spot.

The early lead for “Paranormal Activity” is fleeting because low-budget horror movies tend to disproportionately draw a late-night crowd. Another factor working against it is that many chains opted out of showing “The Ghost Dimension” because of the studio’s plans to take it to home video faster than usual.

Universal’s “Jem and the Holograms,” based on the 1980s animated TV show, is not starting strong. The movie did just $34,000 in sales in 944 theaters Thursday.

The poorly reviewed Bill Murray comedy “Rock the Kasbah” also hits theaters this weekend.

Follow Ryan Faughnder on Twitter for more entertainment business coverage: @rfaughnder