Weekend Box Office : ‘Lethal Weapon 3’ Destroying Records

The record-breaking opening weekend box office for “Lethal Weapon 3” was confirmed in final figures released Monday. The violent and action-oriented police movie starring Mel Gibson and Danny Glover dominated the Top 10 grosses with about two-thirds of the total weekend business. It was the second biggest non-holiday opening weekend in recent movie history. In addition to its star power and sequel status, “Lethal Weapon 3” also benefited from opening ahead of the summer rush, and at a time when most of the films in the market are on their last legs. As evidence of the slow box-office pace for other movies, four of the Top 10 grossed about $1 million or less--a rare situation in more robust weeks.

The film industry kicks off its summer moviegoing season over the Memorial Day holiday this weekend with the openings of “Far and Away,” starring Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman, “Alien 3” with Sigourney Weaver and the teen comedy, “Encino Man.” With Friday, Saturday, Sunday and the Monday holiday plus continuing strength from “Lethal Weapon 3,” overall grosses are expected to soar.

Weekend Gross/ Screens/ Weeks in Movie (Studio) Total (millions) Average Release 1. “Lethal Weapon 3” $33.2 2,510 1 (Warner Bros.) $33.2 $13,244 2. “Basic Instinct” $3 1,851 9 (TriStar) $93.7 $1,645 3. “Beethoven” $2.3 1,825 7 (Universal) $41 $1,265 4. “White Men Can’t Jump” $1.9 1,683 8 (Fox) $64.8 $1,150 5. “The Player” $1.5 439 6 (Fine Line) $9.8 $3,507 6. “Wayne’s World” $1.3 1,133 14 (Paramount) $112.4 $1.149 7. “My Cousin Vinny” $1.05 888 10 (Fox) $45.9 $1,185 8. “The Babe” $1.04 1,068 5 (Universal) $14.6 $980 9. “FernGully” $908,112 1,327 6 (Fox) $17.8 $684 10. “Deep Cover” $723,538 758 5 (New Line) $12.9 $955

SOURCE: Exhibitor Relations Co.