‘Mars’ Mission a Success at No. 1

Critics may have thought the film came from another planet, but “Mission to Mars” was a hit where it counts--at the box office. The Brian De Palma-directed science-fiction film debuted at No. 1, grossing $22.9 million.

“The Ninth Gate,” a supernatural thriller starring Johnny Depp, opened in second place with $6.6 million, while Paramount Classics’ “Deterrence” debuted in seven theaters, grossing $23,318.

The weekend’s top 12 films grossed $66.6 million, a 3% drop from the same weekend last year.

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Three-day gross/ Screens/ Weeks in Movie (Studio) Total (millions) Average Release 1. “Mission to Mars” $22.9 3,054 1 (Disney/Touchstone) $22.9 $7,484 2. “The Ninth Gate” $6.6 1,586 1 (Artisan) $6.6 $4,176 3. “My Dog Skip” $6.0 2,331 9 (Warner Bros.) $14.1 $2,586 4. “The Whole Nine Yards” $5.5 2,672 4 (Warner Bros.) $45.9 $2,063 5. “American Beauty” $3.7 1,522 26 (DreamWorks) $98.0 $2,408 6. “The Cider House Rules” $3.5 1,704 14 (Miramax) $42.0 $2,056 7. “Drowning Mona” $3.42 1,981 2 (Destination) $10.7 $1,725 8. “The Next Best Thing” $3.4 2,034 2 (Paramount) $10.6 $1,652 9. “Snow Day” $3.2 2,672 5 (Paramount) $53.0 $1,192 10. “Pitch Black” $2.9 1,730 4 (USA) $34.1 $1,701 *”Deterrence” $23,318 7 1 (Paramount Classics) $23,318 $3,331 *”X” $6,672 1 1 (Palm/Manga) $6,672 $6,672 *”Condo Painting” $2,655 1 1 (USA) $2,655 $2,655

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SOURCE: Exhibitor Relations Co.