‘Parents’ Meets With More Success

“Meet the Parents” continued to dominate the box office for the second consecutive week, grossing $21.2 million--a decline of only 26% from its opening weekend.

The success of “Meet the Parents” extends a big winning streak for Universal, which this year has delivered hits like “Erin Brockovich,” “U-571,” “Nutty Professor II: The Klumps,” “Bring It On” and “The Watcher.”

“Remember the Titans” continues to score big with audiences, taking in $13.1 million for a winning total of $64.2 million after three weeks. “Lost Souls,” a film that sat on the shelf for a year and was being written off by critics, debuted in third place with $8 million in ticket sales.

Delivering more modest opening weekend grosses were “Ladies Man” with $5.4 million, “The Contender” with $5.36 million, and “Dr. T and & the Women” with $5 million.

“Billy Elliot,” which has drawn praise from critics, debuted in limited release.

The reissue of the 1973 horror classic “The Exorcist,” in its fourth week, has now grossed $30.5 million.

Weekend Box Office

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Three-day gross/ Screens/ Weeks in Movie (Studio) Total (millions) Average Release 1. “Meet the Parents” $21.2 2,615 2 (Universal) $58.8 $8,095 2. “Remember the Titans” $13.1 2,726 3 (Disney) $64.2 $4,790 3. “Lost Souls” $8.0 1,970 1 (New Line) $8.0 $4,038 4. “The Ladies Man” $5.4 2,022 1 (Paramount) $5.4 $2,684 5. “The Contender” $5.36 1,516 1 (DreamWorks) $5.36 $3,538 6. “The Exorcist” * $5.2 1,655 4 (Warner Bros.) $30.5 $3,163 7. “Dr. T & the Women” $5.0 1,489 1 (Artisan) $5.0 $3,367 8. “Get Carter” $2.9 2,315 2 (Warner Bros.) $11.7 $1,260 9. “Almost Famous” $2.2 2,262 5 (DreamWorks) $26.7 $969 10. “Best in Show” $2.1 291 3 (Warner Bros.) $3.9 $7,347 “Billy Elliot” $215,681 10 1 (Universal) $215,681 $2,157

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* Reissue.

SOURCE: Exhibitor Relations Co.