WEEKEND BOX OFFICE : ‘Alien’ Lands Big; ‘Punchline’ Punchy

Twentieth Century Fox is having good luck with action pictures this year. With the receipts still rolling in on “Die Hard,” the studio released “Alien Nation,” which hit the top of the charts over the four-day Columbus Day weekend. The Graham Baker-directed science-fiction tale about aliens who become part of life in L.A. grossed $8.4 million at 1,430 theaters, averaging $5,889 per screen. Columbia’s “Punchline” held strong in wider release, averaging $6,914 per screen.

*’Clara’s Heart,” starring Whoopi Goldberg, grossed $588,869 over the holiday weekend at 74 theaters, for an average of $7,957 per screen.

Weekend Gross/ Screens/ Weeks Movie (Studio) Total (millions) Average in Release 1. “Alien Nation” $8.4 1,430 1 (20th Century Fox) $8.4 $5,889 2. “Punchline” $5.2 753 2 (Columbia) $5.5 $6,914 3. “Gorillas in the Mist” $4.0 1,081 3 (Universal) $9.2 $3,740 4. “Crossing Delancey” $1.7 290 6 (Warner Bros.) $7.4 $5,733 5. “A Fish Called Wanda” $1.6 959 13 (MGM/UA) $53.3 $1,706 *”Clara’s Heart” $.589 74 16 (Warner) $.589 $7,957

SOURCE: Exhibitor Relations Co.