Video Rental Chart : ‘Predator 2’ Stalks ‘Ghost’

“Predator 2,” starring Danny Glover, is stalking “Ghost,” which has been on top of the Billboard magazine rental chart for the last two months. Although it’s successfully spooked away all challengers so far, “Ghost” may be vulnerable to this “Predator” sequel, which surged from No. 7 to No. 2 in its second week on the chart. As popular as it is, “Ghost” isn’t likely to remain the rental leader for another month. “Three Men and a Little Lady” reversed itself again, this time bounding from No. 8 to No. 3. Last week, it slipped two notches to No. 8 after two weeks on the chart and seemed in danger of doing a fast fade. But all of a sudden, it’s in the Top Five challenging “Ghost.” “Avalon,” writer-director Barry Levinson’s warm-hearted family drama set in postwar Baltimore, is doing exceptional rental business at No. 7 on the chart. For a movie that was not a box-office hit ($15.6 million gross) and features no major stars, cracking the Top 10 is a feat. “Jacob’s Ladder,” the moody psychological thriller starring Tim Robbins, entered at No. 11.

* If “Predator 2” doesn’t unseat “Ghost,” “Mermaids,” a comedy/drama starring Cher and Winona Ryder, just might do it. The movie, which raked in a very respectable $33.2 million at the box office, debuted at No. 11 and should jump into the Top Five next week. Though Cher figured to be the big draw, Ryder got the critical raves and quickly blossomed into “Mermaids”’ main attraction.

Ranking Ranking 2 Weeks Top Rentals Last Week Ago 1. “Ghost” (Paramount) 1 1 2. “Predator 2” (FoxVideo) 7 ... 3. “Three Men and a Little Lady” (Touchstone) 8 6 4. “Presumed Innocent” (Warner) 5 4 5. “The Bonfire of the Vanities” (Warner) 3 3 * “Mermaids” (Orion) ... ...

Weeks On Rental Top Rentals Chart 1. “Ghost” (Paramount) 9 2. “Predator 2” (FoxVideo) 2 3. “Three Men and a Little Lady” (Touchstone) 3 4. “Presumed Innocent” (Warner) 9 5. “The Bonfire of the Vanities” (Warner) 5 * “Mermaids” (Orion) 1