‘A Time to Kill’ Bumps ‘Independence Day’ to 2nd

All the hype on Warner Bros.’ “A Time to Kill” apparently paid off, as the film grabbed $14.5 million in its opening weekend, bumping “Independence Day” from the top spot. But the sci-fi hit was an impressive second with an estimated $13.2 million, boosting its four-week gross to about $222.5 million.

Also this weekend, “The Nutty Professor” became the latest $100-million blockbuster, taking in about $4.9 million (good for seventh place).

“Phenomenon” and “Courage Under Fire” each dropped a spot from last week, with the John Travolta film coming in third at $6.3 million, followed by the Denzel Washington-Meg Ryan showcase, which grossed $5.7 million.

Miramax’s opener, “Supercop,” starring Jackie Chan, pulled up fifth with $5.5 million.

MGM/UA suffered its second disappointment in a row with “Kingpin,” starring Woody Harrelson and Randy Quaid, opening in sixth at $5 million. The studio’s “Fled,” which had a similar opening last week, dropped from the top 10 with only $2.6 million.

Another disappointing opener was Francis Ford Coppola’s live-action “The Adventures of Pinocchio” for New Line Cinema, which opened in eighth at $3.8 million.

“Multiplicity” came in ninth at $3.6 million while “The Frighteners” fell to 10th at $2.7 million.

Warner’s roach-driven newcomer, “Joe’s Apartment,” was squashed at the box office with $1.9 million.