‘U-571’s’ Launch Sinks Competition

A gripping World War II submarine action film easily defeated the competition over the weekend as director Jonathan Mostow’s “U-571” grossed $19.6 million at the box office.

“U-571” became the fourth-highest-opening film of the year behind “Scream 3” ($34.7 million), “Erin Brockovich” ($28.1 million) and “Mission to Mars” ($22.8 million).

“ ‘U-571’ benefited from having a great trailer and because it was rated PG-13, which enabled the greatest number of people to see it,” said Paul Dergarabedian, president of the box-office tracking firm Exhibitor Relations Co. Inc.

“The film falls into the category of movies like ‘The Mummy,’ which did incredibly well last year, ‘Twister’ and ‘Deep Impact.’ ”

“Love and Basketball” debuted in second place with $8.1 million.

Weekend Box Office

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Three-day gross/ Screens/ Weeks in Movie (Studio) Total (millions) Average Release 1. “U-571” $19.6 2,583 1 (Universal) $19.6 $7,570 2. “Love and Basketball” $8.1 1,237 1 (New Line) $8.1 $6,580 3. “Rules of Engagement” $8.0 3,220 3 (Paramount) $43.1 $2,487 4. “28 Days” $7.3 2,523 2 (Sony/Columbia) $22.0 $2,894 5. “Keeping the Faith” $7.2 2,158 2 (Disney/Touchstone) $18.6 $3,352 6. “Erin Brockovich” $5.5 3,056 6 (Universal) $107.4 $1,800 7. “The Road to El Dorado” $5.2 3,170 4 (DreamWorks) $41.9 $1,648 8. “Return to Me” $4.0 2,320 3 (MGM/UA) $21.2 $1,708 9. “Final Destination” $2.8 1,305 6 (New Line) $42.6 $2,116 10. “The Skulls” $2.7 2,047 4 (Universal) $30.3 $1,325 “Gossip” $2.3 1,525 1 (Warner Bros.) $2.3 $1,522 “The Other Conquest” $305,308 74 1 (Hombre D’Oro) $397,688 $4,126 “The Virgin Suicides” $235,122 18 1 (Paramount Classics) $235,122 $13,062 “The Last September” $22,981 3 1 (Trimark) $22,981 $7,660

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SOURCE: Exhibitor Relations Co.