Weekend Box Office Report 10.21.02: The Ring Debuts #1

Posted by Ashish on 10.21.2002

The Ring tops Red Dragon at #1, Alabama, Greek Wedding continue to impress...

The horror/thriller, The Ring (click here for our review) knocked Red Dragon off the #1 slot at the box office this weekend, debuting to a strong $15 million ($7,572 per theater). The Ring generated the highest per theater average for any film in wide release this weekend.

The romantic-comedy, Sweet Home Alabama (click here for our review), continued to be an amazing success, holding on to its #2 spot with $9.6 million (drop of 32%; $2,926 per theater). The film has earned $98.5 million now, headed to the $125 million mark.

Red Dragon (click here for our review), starring Anthony Hopkins and Edward Norton, fell from its #1 spot to #3 this week with $8.8 million (drop of 50%; $2,660 per theater), bringing its cume to $77.8 million. It should top the $100 million mark.

The surprise hit of 2002, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, continued to shock by earning another $7.15 million (drop of 15%; $3,552 per theater) to land at #4. It has earned an amazing $169.3 million, headed for $185 million in the U.S.

The new drama starring Katie Holmes, Abandon, opened at #5 with a disappointing $5.3 million ($2,264 per theater).

The urban romantic-comedy, Brown Sugar, tied for 5th place with $5.3 million (drop of 51%; $3,853 per theater). It has earned $18.6 million.

The action film, The Transporter (click here for our review), fell to 7th in its second week of release with $5.01 million (drop of 45%; $1,920 per theater). It has earned a somewhat disappointing $17.1 million total.

The Tuxedo, starring Jackie Chan and Jennifer Love-Hewitt, brought in $4.1 million (drop of 42%; $1,691 per theater) this weekend to land in 8th place. It has earned $43.1 million despite horrible reviews.

Jonah: A Veggie Tale Movie expanded to more theaters this week and jumped from #11 last week to a tie for 8th this week, earning $4.1 million (up 12%; $2,593 per theater). It has earned a total of $16.2 million.

Disney's Tuck Everlasting (click here for our review) rounded out the top 10 with $3.7 million (down 29%; $2,583 per theater). It has earned a very disappointing $10.6 million.

OTHER NOTES:
-Samuel L. Jackson's Formula 51 was a huge disappointment, earning only $2.9 million.
-Auto Focus opened in limited release and earned $0.14 million and a strong $12,514 per theater).
-The Grey Zone opened to $24,000 at 8 theaters.
-Punch-Drunk Love, sparked by great reviews, added more theaters and earned $1.63 million ($20,897 per theater).

OVERALL BOX OFFICE TOP TEN:
1. The Ring - $15 million ($15 million)
2. Sweet Home Alabama - $9.6 million ($98.5 million)
3. Red Dragon - $8.8 million ($77.8 million)
4. My Big Fat Greek Wedding - $7.15 million ($169.3 million)
5. Abandon - $5.3 million ($5.3 million)
-. Brown Sugar - $5.3 million ($18.6 million)
7. The Transporter - $5.01 million ($17.1 million)
8. The Tuxedo - $4.1 million ($43.1 million)
-. Jonah: A Veggie Tale Movie - $4.1 million ($16.2 million)
10. Tuck Everlasting - $3.7 ($10.6 million)