Proving stickier than its predecessor’s filling, “American Pie 2” topped the box office for the third weekend. Since March’s “Spy Kids,” no movie had held the pole position over three weekends. “Pie” jacked $12.5 million off of 3,157 screens for a cumulative $109.6 gross. With that, it outgrossed, outgagged, and outshocked the original’s gross ($102.1). Although everyone denied a “Pie 3” if their careers do not take off, Jim and the gang will be back soon.
Settling for second place again, “Rush Hour 2” drove home $11.5 million for a $183.4 total. Despite its late-summer release, “Rush Hour 2” opened huge and displayed better staying power than the summer’s uber-openings. Before the end of its run, “Rush Hour 2” will earn over $200 million to become the second biggest film of the year (behind “Shrek” at $260.)
Disappointing Kevin Smith fans everywhere, “Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back” debuted in third place with $11 million. While it was Kevin Smith’s biggest debut, many industry experts (and especially the fan base) expected a number one opening. “Jay and Silent Bob” smoked up 2,765 screens, extremely wide for late-August, and only averaged an OK per-screen average. Unfortunately, “Jay and Silent Bob” did not leave with a bong as intended.
Both “The Others” and “Rat Race” suffered reasonable drops. “Others” creeped up to late-summer sleeper with $8.6 million and $46.1 total. “Rat Race” scratched out $8.1 million in weekend two, but the “Race” needs to scurry into another weekend before its prospects are clear.
“Summer Catch” dropped dead in its debut with $7.0 million, continuing Freddie Prinze Jr.’s downward spiral/dive bomb. (Unfortunately, he took Jessica Biel with him.)
Dame Julie Andrews courted $6.6 million with “The Princess Diaries.” The former box office nanny and Anne Hathaway have taken $82.4 million off their loyal peons.
“Captain Corelli’s Mandolin” took what it had coming, precipitously dropping to $4.0 million. If she does not make a hit soon, no one will care if Cruz catches Cruise.
With only $3.8 million, “John Carpenter’s Ghosts of Mars” crashed on Pluto. (Don’t worry; Ice Cube already greenlighted “Friday After Next.”)
Finally, “Planet of the Apes” defied its second largest opening ever, landing at the 10 spot in week 4. Despite an eventual total over $175 million, it will not make money for Fox.
Two new movies opened outside the top ten. Woody Allen’s “Curse of the Jade Scorpion” opened at 11 with $2.5 million; Disney’s “Bubble Boy” burst at 13 with $2.0 million.
Next weekend, “Jeepers Creepers” and “O” beg people to come and watch. Stay home for this one, folks.