Los Angeles ? “The Covenant,” a tale of supernatural teens trying to destroy each other at an elite boarding school, ascended to the top of the weekend box office with a modest take of $9 million, according to studio estimates.

It was Sony Screen Gems’ ninth top-opener this year, but the lowest box office start for a film making a No. 1 debut since 2003’s “Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star” made $6.6 million.

By comparison, the debut of Sony Screen Gems’ “The Exorcism of Emily Rose” took in more than $30 million in the same weekend a year ago.

“The summer (movie) season ended on a pretty high note, but the fall season is starting off a little slow,” said Paul Dergarabedian, president of box-office tracker Exhibitor Relations. “I don’t think anyone expected this weekend to set the world on fire in terms of box office.”

Meanwhile, moviegoers on Friday pushed the year’s biggest hit, “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest,” past the $1 billion box office threshold – only the third film to do so behind “Titanic” and “Lord of the Rings: Return of the King.”

While “The Covenant” ruled among teen moviegoers, older audiences helped “Hollywoodland” grab the No. 2 spot with its $6 million debut.

The Focus Features’ drama about the 1959 death of TV’s Superman, George Reeves, stars Ben Affleck as Reeves, Diane Lane as his rich mistress and Adrien Brody as a private detective investigating Reeves’ death.

It opened in just 1,548 cinemas but posted a per-theater average of $3,881 that was the highest among the top 10 movies.

The third film to crack the top 10 in its debut this weekend was “The Protector,” a Weinstein Co. release that landed in the No. 4 spot with $5 million.

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Exhibitor Relations Co. Inc.:

1. “The Covenant,” $9 million.

2. “Hollywoodland,” $6 million.

3. “Invincible,” $5.8 million.

4. “The Protector,” $5 million.

5. “Crank,” $4.8 million.

6. “The Illusionist,” $4.6 million.

7. “Little Miss Sunshine,” $4.4 million.

8. “The Wicker Man,” $4.1 million

9. “Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby,” $3 million.

10. “Barnyard: The Original Party Animals,” $2.6 million.