Early Halloween spirit gripped moviegoers as the fright flick "The Grudge 2" debuted at No. 1, taking in $20.8 million during its first weekend.

Sony's horror sequel bumped the previous weekend's top film, the Warner Bros. release "The Departed," to second place. "The Departed," a mob epic from Martin Scorsese, took in $19 million, lifting its 10-day total to $56.9 million, according to final figures Monday.

Universal's "Man of the Year," with Robin Williams as a political comic who's elected president, opened at No. 3 with $12.3 million.

Sarah Michelle Gellar, who starred in the 2004 hit "The Grudge," returns for a cameo in the sequel, which features Amber Tamblyn as her sister, also haunted by angry spirits.

"The Grudge 2" was not prescreened for critics, and those who did review it on opening day generally trashed it, but fright flicks tend to have a built-in audience of horror fans who show up opening weekend regardless of reviews.

Here are the top 10 Friday through Sunday, according to Nielsen EDI:

1. "The Grudge 2," $ 20.8 million.

2. "The Departed," $19 million.

3. "Man of the Year," $12.3 million.

4. "Open Season," $11.1 million.

5. "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning," $7.5 million.