Summer Turns to a Rather Flat Fall

The fall movie season got underway with less-than-spectacular results. “The Watcher,” starring Keanu Reeves, captured the top spot on the weekend box-office chart, grossing $9.1 million. Coming in second was “Nurse Betty” with $7.1 million.

“The Way of the Gun” debuted in ninth place with $2.2 million.

Movies in limited release included “Turn It Up,” “Backstage” and a reissue of “This Is Spinal Tap.”

Weekend Box Office

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Three-day gross/ Screens/ Weeks in Movie (Studio) Total (millions) Average Release 1. “The Watcher” $9.1 2,742 1 (Universal) $9.1 $3,305 2. “Nurse Betty” $7.1 1,459 1 (USA) $7.1 $4,898 3. “Bring It On” $6.8 2,416 3 (Universal) $44.8 $2,820 4. “The Cell” $3.7 2,476 3 (New Line) $51.3 $1,476 5. “Space Cowboys” $3.3 2,607 6 (Warner Bros.) $78.8 $1,281 6. “What Lies Beneath” $2.8 2,166 8 (DreamWorks) $142.4 $1,278 7. “The Art of War” $2.5 2,370 3 (Warner Bros.) $25.0 $1,045 8. “The Original Kings of Comedy” $2.4 997 4 (Paramount) $31.9 $2,361 9. “The Way of the Gun” $2.2 1,515 1 (Artisan) $2.2 $1,420 10. “Highlander: Endgame” $1.9 1,545 2 (Miramax) $9.1 $1,240 *”Turn It Up” $576,820 661 1 (New Line) $738,654 $873 *”Backstage” $496,226 322 1 (Miramax) $684,101 $1,541 “This Is Spinal Tap” Reissue $55,854 10 1 (MGM) $55,854 $5,585

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* Opened Wednesday

SOURCE: Exhibitor Relations Co.