If the Final Destination franchise has taught us anything, it’s that you can’t outrun the Grim Reaper. Even if you’re Brad Pitt or Michael Myers.

Both fell to the teen-snuffing horror film The Final Destination, which knocked Inglourious Basterds from the top spot and made mincemeat of Halloween II.

The fourth Destination took in $28.3 million, according to studio estimates from box office trackers Nielsen EDI.

The debut was $8 million more than most analysts projected and the highest opening yet for the franchise, which introduced 3-D to the series this time around.

“You have to say that made the difference,” says Jeff Goldstein, distribution executive for Warner Bros., which released Destination. Goldstein says 3-D screens did three times the business of traditional 2-D screens.

The weekend was a strange showdown of movies from the same genre, targeting similar audiences. And Halloween II, the 10th installment of the slasher series, was no match. It earned $17.4 million and third place.

“Final Destination won, fair and square,” says Bob Weinstein of the Weinstein Co., which released H2. “But this is a solid single or double for us. We’re thrilled the market could support both movies.”

Weinstein says the company will produce a third Halloween film for summer – in 3-D.

Pitt’s Inglourious Basterds had a strong second weekend, dropping 47% from its debut to make $20 million and take second place.

The sci-fi thriller District 9 was fourth with $10.7 million, followed by G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra’s $8 million.

The only other major newcomer, Ang Lee’s Taking Woodstock, met expectations with $3.7 million, good for ninth place.

Ticket sales jumped 3% over last weekend and 28% over the same weekend last year. Final figures are due today.