Older moviegoers turned out to launch the...

Older moviegoers turned out to launch the romantic comedy “Something’s Gotta Give” at No. 1 with an estimated $17 million over the weekend.

The audience for Tom Cruise’s “The Last Samurai” dropped 42% from the Warner Bros. movie’s opening last weekend, but it grossed an estimated $14.1 million, ahead of newcomers “Stuck on You,” which took in an estimated $10 million, and “Love Don’t Cost a Thing,” which grossed $6.5 million.

The opening for 20th Century Fox’s “Stuck on You” was not too impressive, considering Bobby and Peter Farrelly’s last film, “Shallow Hal,” grossed $22.5 million in its debut weekend in November 2001. “There’s Something About Mary” grossed $12.5 million when it opened in July 1998. Although “Mary” opened at No. 4 against No. 1 “The Mask of Zorro,” positive word-of-mouth eventually propelled it to a domestic total of $176.5 million.

Considering that business is slow this time of year, the opening for Sony Pictures Entertainment’s “Something’s Gotta Give” wasn’t too bad. As people prepare for holiday celebrations, moviegoing traditionally drops.

This weekend’s top 10 films grossed an estimated $78.3 million, or 8% less than last weekend and 10% behind this time last year, according to box-office tracker Nielsen EDI Inc.

Estimates for “Something’s Gotta Give” also were in line with similar romantic comedies that have opened during the holiday season. Jack Nicholson’s “As Good As It Gets,” which came out in December 1997 and ended up winning Nicholson a best actor Oscar, took in $12.6 million in its first weekend. It became a hit, grossing $148 million domestically and more than $300 million worldwide.

Jennifer Lopez’s “Maid in Manhattan,” which came out Dec. 13, 2002, opened with $18.7 million and went on to gross $94 million domestically.

However, the production budgets of both earlier films were in the $50 million range, while “Something” cost at least $90 million to make.

“Something’s” audience was made up mainly of women older than 30, but a significant portion -- 48% -- were men, and at least one-third of the overall audience was under 30.

“The big question was can that audience open a film,” said Jeff Blake, head of worldwide marketing and distribution for Sony. “As it turned out, this was the perfect antidote for some of the darker films and children’s films that have dominated the market.” Indeed, considering “Something’s” received mainly positive reviews, particularly for Diane Keaton’s performance as a 50-something playwright looking for love, the movie should be able to hang on through the holiday season. Its upbeat tone might be an attractive alternative for audiences in the mood for something light as somber films such as “Cold Mountain” and “The House of Sand and Fog,” arrive in coming weeks.

Sony’s other new movie, “Big Fish,” was released on a limited basis to qualify for awards consideration. Director Tim Burton’s fantasy film, which played in six theaters in Los Angeles, New York and Toronto, grossed $215,000 for a hefty per-venue average of $35,853.

Among other limited releases, Lions Gate Films’ well-received drama “The Girl with a Pearl Earring” brought in $90,000 in seven theaters. Director Norman Jewison’s “The Statement” fared less well with $42,894 in seven venues.

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Preliminary results based on studio projections.

*--* Movie 3-day gross Total (millions)

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*--* Something’s Gotta Give $17 $17

The Last Samurai 14.1 46.8

Stuck on You 10 10

Love Don’t Cost a Thing 6.5 6.5

The Haunted Mansion 6.3 53.9

Bad Santa 6.2 35.9

Elf 6.2 147.7

Honey 5.1 20

Dr. Seuss’ The Cat in the Hat 4.2 90.8

Gothika 2.7 53.9 Source: Nielsen EDI, Inc. Los Angeles Times

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