National Video Rentals : ‘Cliffhanger’ Hits the Heights

“Cliffhanger,” featuring Sylvester Stallone, scaled the last two obstacles on its way to the peak of the rental chart, climbing up from No. 3, finally toppling sexy “Sliver.” Though currently the most popular action-suspense movie on the rental market, “Cliffhanger” may soon surrender its peak position to another suspense film, “Rising Sun,” which debuted at No. 6. Starring Sean Connery and Wesley Snipes, “Rising Sun” has already eclipsed the rental competition in some stores. On the family-film front, “Free Willy” (No. 4) has a hefty lead on the challengers; newcomer “Life With Mikey,” with Michael J. Fox, had a strong week, jumping from No. 18 to No. 9. The most popular adult-oriented comedy these days is the remake of “Born Yesterday” (No. 8), slipping past “Groundhog Day,” now No. 10 after a long run as the fall’s most successful comedy.

Rank Weeks Last on the Week Chart 1. “Cliffhanger” 3 3 2. “Sliver” 1 4 3. “Indecent Proposal” 2 8 4. “Free Willy” 4 4 5. “Made in America” 5 2 6. “Rising Sun” ... 1 7. “Dennis the Menace” 6 6 8. “Born Yesterday” 11 6 9. “Life With Mikey” 18 2 10. “Groundhog Day” 7 16 * “Cop and a Half” 16 7

* This Burt Reynolds action comedy, which some optimists predicted would rally after a slow start, is still doing sluggish business, dropping two notches to No. 18. It’s one of the fall’s most disappointing rentals.

Source: Billboard Publications Inc.