‘Star Wars’ Closes In on ‘E.T.’s’ Record

Even as a “Special Edition,” the force is still with “Star Wars.” The spruced-up 1977 classic took in $24.3 million in its second weekend of re-release for a 10-day total of $70.8 million, bringing its 20-year cumulative gross to $393.5 million. “Star Wars” is approximately $6.3 million shy of overtaking Steven Spielberg’s “E.T.” as the No. 1 box-office hit of all time.

Of the new releases, Universal’s volcano disaster flick, “Dante’s Peak,” led the way with an impressive $18.5-million take--the best three-day February opening weekend ever. The comedy “The Beautician and the Beast,” starring Fran Drescher and Timothy Dalton, came in third with $4.1 million.

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Weekend Gross/ Screens/ Weeks in Movie (Studio) Total (millions) Average Release 1.”Star Wars: Special Edition” $24.3 2,104 2 (Fox) $393.5 $11,539 2.”Dante’s Peak” $18.5 2,657 1 (Universal) $18.5 $6,955 3.”The Beautician and the Beast” $4.1 1,801 1 (Paramount) $4.1 $2,266 4.”Jerry Maguire” $3.6 1,964 9 (Sony/TriStar) $121.3 $1,823 5.”Scream” $3.6 1,750 8 (Miramax) $75.0 $2,036 6.”Evita” $3.0 1,045 7 (Hollywood) $41.0 $2,872 7.”Metro” $2.5 1,728 4 (Touchstone) $28.4 $1,443 8.”The English Patient” $2.2 1,042 13 (Miramax) $42.0 $2,148 9.”Beverly Hills Ninja” $2.0 1,956 4 (Sony/TriStar) $27.1 $1,030 10.”Michael” $1.9 1,660 7 (New Line) $83.1 $1,170 *”The Pest” $1.8 1,205 1 (Sony/TriStar) $1.8 $1,508

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* The new John Leguizamo comedy “The Pest” failed to make the Top 10, earning only $1.8 million.

SOURCE: Exhibitor Relations Co.