‘Signs’ Steady at No. 1 During a ‘Big Fat Greek’ Weekend

Moviegoers spent another weekend investigating crop circles as Mel Gibson’s “Signs” topped the box office again, taking in an estimated $16.5 million over the Labor Day weekend.

The season’s top sleeper hit, “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” had its best weekend in five months of release, climbing to second place with an estimated $14.6 million from Friday to Monday.

The only new wide release, the horror flick “feardotcom,” premiered at No. 5 with $7.12 million, according to studio estimates released Monday.

Hollywood revenues were off for the seventh-straight weekend after robust returns for the first half of summer. The top 12 movies grossed $82.2 million over the four-day weekend, down 12.4% from last year’s record Labor Day weekend.

Tracking revenues from early May, admissions were up 6.5%. The industry took in $3.8 billion from early May through Labor Day, up about 10% from the same period in 2001, according to Exhibitor Relations.

“Greek Wedding” expanded to 1,619 theaters, up 290 from the previous weekend, averaging an impressive $9,017 per cinema, lifting its gross to $82.3 million and putting it on track to reach $100 million.

“Some of us were talking at the beginning about $20 million or $25 million if we’re lucky, but no one ever dreamed of hitting $100 million,” said Rob Schwartz, head of distribution for IFC Films, which released “Greek Wedding.”

“Signs,” the tale of a farmer coping with mysterious crop circles and visitors from the skies, is on its way to $200 million. The film, written and directed by M. Night Shyamalan (“The Sixth Sense”), averaged $4,805 per screen in 3,437 theaters and has grossed $195.1 million in a month.

No. 1 in early August, “Signs” slipped to second place behind “XXX” for two weekends, then reclaimed the top spot last week.

For the holiday, “Signs” drew a mix of first-time viewers and repeat business, said Chuck Viane, head of distribution for Disney, which released the film.

“Labor Day has historically shown everyone that that is the weekend the public either likes to repeat their viewing or catch up with movies they haven’t seen yet,” Viane said.

Two critically acclaimed films expanded to more theaters and climbed into the top 10. Jennifer Aniston’s dark comedy “The Good Girl” came in at No. 9 with $3.6 million in 667 theaters, up 479 from the previous weekend.

The Robin Williams stalking thriller “One Hour Photo” was No. 10 with $3.33 million, expanding to 164 theaters after debuting at No. 7 a week earlier. “One Hour Photo” averaged a whopping $20,274 a screen and goes nationwide Sept. 13.

Distributor Fox Searchlight released “The Good Girl” and “One Hour Photo” in late summer as alternatives to the onslaught of lower-brow blockbusters earlier in the season.

“August has been traditionally a really good time for counter-programming after the big, high-concept sequels, sci-fi and action movies,” said Steve Gilula, Fox Searchlight head of distribution.