The Lionsgate release earned an estimated $23 million in its debut weekend. The horror sequel is a follow-up to the 1974 "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre," and has masked killer Leatherface on the loose again.
"Django Unchained" came in second with $20 million, and is now director Quentin Tarantino's highest-grossing film.
"The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" held on to third place, with a $17.5-million dollar weekend.
"Les Miserables" and "Parental Guidance" rounded out the top five.
The top 10 films of the weekend were:
1. "Texas Chainsaw 3-D," $23 million.
2. "Django Unchained," $20.1 million.
3. "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey," $17.5 million ($57.1 million international).
4. "Les Miserables," $16.1 million ($14.5 million international).
5. "Parental Guidance," $10.1 million.
6. "Jack Reacher," $9.3 million ($22.3 million international).
7. "This Is 40," $8.6 million.
8. "Lincoln," $5.3 million.
9. "The Guilt Trip," $4.5 million.
10. "Promised Land," $4.3 million.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
