‘Mummy’ Brings Sunshine to Universal

“The Mummy” brought life back to beleaguered Universal Studios, grossing $43.4 million to become the ninth-biggest three-day weekend opening of all time and the best non-summer film. “I think this is the first big popcorn movie of the summer,” said Paul Dergarabedian, president of the box-office tracking firm Exhibitors Relations Co. Inc. “I think the trailer was extremely effective in getting people psyched up to see it.” The film, which received mixed reviews, was the only film to open wide over the weekend, appealing largely to moviegoers under the age of 25.

Weekend Box Office

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Three-day gross/ Screens/ Weeks in Movie (Studio) Total (millions) Average Release 1. “The Mummy” $43.4 3,209 1 (Universal) $43.4 $13,515 2. “Entrapment” $12.3 2,855 2 (Fox) $38.5 $4,318 3. “The Matrix” $5.9 2,860 6 (Warner Bros.) $138.5 $2,056 4. “Life” $3.6 2,438 4 (Universal) $51.5 $1,495 5. “Election” $3.2 827 3 (Paramount) $3.7 $3,824 6. “Never Been Kissed” $3.0 2,404 6 (Fox) $40.5 $1,250 7. “Analyze This” $1.7 1,995 10 (Warner Bros.) $100.8 $865 8. “10 Things I Hate About You” $1.1 1,712 6 (Disney/Touchstone) $32.6 $661 9. “Cookie’s Fortune” $850,072 552 6 (October) $7.7 $1,540 10. “Shakespeare in Love” $785,199 903 22 (Miramax) $94.0 $870 * “The Castle” $29,452 7 1 (Miramax) $29,452 $4,207

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SOURCE: Exhibitor Relations Co.