Advertisement

"Titanic' cruises full speed ahead, overtaking "Gump'

 
Published March 9, 1998|Updated Sept. 12, 2005

Titanic topped the nation's box office for an eighth weekend and replaced Forrest Gump as the No. 4 domestic moneymaker of all time, according to industry estimates Sunday.

The apparently unsinkable disaster epic earned $23.2-million _ the first weekend that it has taken in less than $25-million. The total still was nearly three times that of The Replacement Killers, which debuted in second place.

Titanic has grossed $337.5-million, compared with $329.7 for Forrest Gump, as it continues to steadily move up the list of all-time top-grossing films at the North American box office.

Titanic could receive another boost up that list if, as expected, it receives a number of Academy Award nominations, which will be announced Tuesday.

"We have an idea where it might be the weekend after that _ No. 3," said Blaise Noto, a spokesman for the Paramount studio.

The current No. 3 movie is Jurassic Park, with $357.1-million.

The Replacement Killers, starring Academy Award-winning Mira Sorvino and Hong Kong action star Chow Yun-Fat, took in $8.1-million.

The only other new film in wide release was Blues Brothers 2000, starring Dan Aykroyd and John Goodman in a sequel to the 1980 film. It made $6.5-million for fourth place.

"You always want to open No. 1," said Alan Sutton, senior vice president of distribution and marketing at Universal Pictures. "But given the competitiveness of the marketplace, we're very pleased that Blues Brothers 2000 was one of the weekend's top films."

Sutton said the movie's rhythm and blues score was part of the appeal.

"People are really responding," he said. "They're stomping feet and popping fingers. We hope it will be infectious."

Talk surrounding Good Will Hunting remained infectious. The movie was No. 3 with $6.8-million. It has made $68.2-million in 10 weeks.

Great Expectations was No. 5 with $5.5-million. Ticket sales in its second weekend dropped 43 percent from its debut, which is considered about average.

Final figures were to be released Monday.

Estimated grosses for the top 10 movies at North American theaters for Friday through Sunday:

1. Titanic, $23.2-million.

2. The Replacement Killers, $8.1-million.

3. Good Will Hunting, $6.8-million.

4. Blues Brothers 2000, $6.5-million.

5. Great Expectations, $5.5-million.

6. As Good As It Gets, $5.1-million.

7. Spice World, $4-million.

8. Wag The Dog, $3.5-million.

9. Desperate Measures, $3-million.

10. Deep Rising, $2.4-million.