Despite Drop-Off, ‘Godzilla’ Stays No. 1

“Godzilla” took another big bite out of the box office this weekend, but the question in Hollywood is: Does the giant lizard have legs?

While the film took in $18 million to capture first place, the figure represents a 59% drop-off when compared to the same three-day period the prior weekend.

By comparison, two other films that opened over the Memorial Day holiday weekend in recent years fared slightly better on their second weekend in release. “The Lost World: Jurassic Park” fell 53% last year--although it had a much bigger opening--while “Mission: Impossible” dropped 52% two years ago.

Given that it cost $170 million to produce and market, the TriStar Pictures release may struggle to make back its money in the domestic market, although it should do well overseas.

20th Century Fox, meanwhile, was exulting in the $14.2-million opening for “Hope Floats,” starring Sandra Bullock. The film was targeted at female and over-35 audiences.

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Three-day gross/ Screens/ Weeks in Movie (Studio) Total (millions) Average Release 1. “Godzilla” $18.0 3,310 2 (Sony/TriStar) $99.3 $5,444 2. “Hope Floats” $14.2 2,367 1 (Fox) $14.2 $6,004 3. “Deep Impact” $10.1 3,280 4 (Paramount/DreamWorks) $112.0 $3,073 4. “The Horse $7.3 2,189 3 Whisperer” (Disney/Touchstone) $43.4 $3,352 5. “Bulworth” $4.8 2,051 3 (Fox) $17.5 $2,354 6. “I Got $3.3 655 1 the Hook-Up” (Dimension) $4.4 $5,054 7. “Almost Heroes” $2.8 2,048 1 (Warner Bros.) $2.8 $1,386 8. “The Quest $2.4 2,449 3 for Camelot” (Warner Bros.) $17.0 $962 9. “Titanic” $1.78 1,562 24 (Paramount/Fox) $579.4 $1,142 10. “Fear/Loathing $1.76 1,130 2 in Las Vegas” (Universal) $7.3 $1,560

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SOURCE: Exhibitor Relations Co.