‘Titanic’ the Hot Weekend Ticket

After adding more than $9 million to its coffers on Christmas Day, James Cameron’s “Titanic” took in a record-breaking $35.5 million over the weekend for a 10-day total of $88.4 million. The Jack Nicholson-Helen Hunt comedy, “As Good as It Gets,” also performed well, racking up $12.6 million in its opening weekend for a total gross of $16.1 million. But Kevin Costner’s “The Postman” earned a disappointing $5.3 million over the weekend for a total of $6.8 million.

*--*

Weekend Gross/ Screens/ Weeks in Movie (Studio) Total (millions) Average Release 1. “Titanic” $35.5 2,711 2 (Paramount) $88.4 $13,078 2. “Tomorrow Never Dies” $20.5 2,807 2 (MGM/UA) $62.2 $7,296 3. “As Good as It Gets” $12.6 1,572 1 (Sony/TriStar) $16.2 $8,020 4. “Mouse Hunt” $9.7 2,191 2 (DreamWorks) $21.5 $4,427 5. “Jackie Brown” $9.3 1,370 1 (Miramax) $12.9 $6,782 6. “Scream 2” $9.1 2,670 3 (Miramax/Dimension) $71.1. $3,402 7. “American Werewolf in Paris” $7.6 1,728 1 (Hollywood) $11.0 $4,399 8. “Flubber” $5.4 2,008 5 (Disney) $73.1 $2,643 9. “The Postman” $5.3 2,207 1 (Warner Bros.) $6.8 $2,383 10. “Mr. Magoo” $5.2 1, 857 1 (Disney) $6.5 $2,818 -- “Amistad” $5.2 712 3 (DreamWorks) $17.7 $7,303 * “Afterglow” $50,052 6 1 (Sony Classics) $50,052 $8,342 * “Wag the Dog” $94,139 3 1 (New Line) $124,217 $31,380 * “Kundun” $72,095 2 1 (Touchstone) $99,680 $36,048 * “The Winter Guest” $20,583 3 1 (Fine Line) $34,776 $6,844

*--*

* Several films opened in limited release, including Martin Scorsese’s “Kundun,” which grossed $99,680 on just two screens; Barry Levinson’s comedy “Wag the Dog,” $124,217 in just three theaters; Alan Rudolph’s romantic drama “Afterglow,” $50,052 in six theaters; and “The Winter Guest,” $34,776 in three theaters.

SOURCE: Exhibitor Relations Co.