‘Speed 2’ Edges ‘Con Air’ for No. 1

“Speed 2: Cruise Control,” the lavish, highly promoted sequel to the 1994 hit “Speed,” just barely eked out second-week “Con Air” for the No. 1 box-office position. “Speed 2,” which received less-than-stellar reviews, made $16.2 million its opening weekend. The original “Speed” made $14.5 million in its opener and went on to earn $121.2 million domestically. “Con Air” took in $15.7 million for a 10-day total of $49.9 million.

Overall, box office was down from last year’s Father’s Day weekend.

* In limited release, Victor Nunez’s “Ulee’s Gold,” starring Peter Fonda, brought in $89,563 on just seven screens. Chen Kaige’s latest film, “Temptress Moon,” made $66,471 on five screens.

*--*

Weekend Gross/ Screens/ Movie (Studio) Total (millions) Average 1. “Speed 2: Cruise Control” $16.2 2,615 (Fox) $16.2 $6,179 2. “Con Air” $15.7 2,829 (Disney/Touchstone) $49.9 $5,540 3. “The Lost World: Jurassic Park” $12.5 3,565 (Universal) $190.7 $3,500 4. “Addicted to Love” $2.3 1,948 (Warner Bros.) $30.2 $1,179 5. “Austin Powers” $2.1 1,540 (New Line) $46.0 $1,359 6. “Gone Fishin”’ $2.0 1,804 (Disney/Hollywood) $13.8 $1,134 7. “Buddy” $1.9 2,113 (Columbia) $6.8 $907 8. “The Fifth Element” $1.5 1,560 (Columbia) $58.0 $951 9. “Trial and Error” $1.3 2,003 (New Line) $11.5 $671 10. “Breakdown” $1.0 1,571 (Paramount) $46.7 $647 “Ulee’s Gold” $89,563 7 (Orion/M.E.G.) $89,563 $12,795 “Temptress Moon” $66,471 5 (Miramax) $66,471 $13,294

Weeks in Movie (Studio) Release 1. “Speed 2: Cruise Control” 1 (Fox) 2. “Con Air” 2 (Disney/Touchstone) 3. “The Lost World: Jurassic Park” 4 (Universal) 4. “Addicted to Love” 4 (Warner Bros.) 5. “Austin Powers” 7 (New Line) 6. “Gone Fishin”’ 3 (Disney/Hollywood) 7. “Buddy” 2 (Columbia) 8. “The Fifth Element” 6 (Columbia) 9. “Trial and Error” 3 (New Line) 10. “Breakdown” 7 (Paramount) “Ulee’s Gold” 1 (Orion/M.E.G.) “Temptress Moon” 1 (Miramax)

*--*

SOURCE: Exhibitor Relations Co.