LOS ANGELES (AP) – A weak batch of new movies made easy prey for “Freddy vs. Jason,” which took in $13.45 million to remain the No. 1 weekend flick, according to studio estimates Sunday.
“Freddy vs. Jason,” a blood feud between the villains of “A Nightmare on Elm Street” and “Friday the 13th,” was the first movie to retain the top spot for two straight weekends since “X2: X-Men United” in early May.
Years ago, big hits could linger at the top of the box office for weeks, but studios today focus on marketing blitzes to guarantee huge opening weekends before crowds drift on to the next blockbuster.
“This summer in particular we saw weekend after weekend with a new No. 1 film,” said Paul Dergarabedian, president of box-office tracker Exhibitor Relations.
Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at North American theaters, according to Exhibitor Relations Co. Inc. Final figures will be released Monday.
1. “Freddy vs. Jason,” $13.45M.
2. “S.W.A.T.” $10.8M.
3 (tie). “Freaky Friday,” $9.4M.
3 (tie). “Open Range,” $9.4M.
5. “The Medallion,” $8.2M.
6. “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl,” $7.3M.
7. “Seabiscuit,” $6.3M.
8. “Uptown Girls,” $5.6M
9. “American Wedding,” $5.58M.
10. “My Boss’s Daughter,” $5M.
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