Date: 4th December 2000

Grinch Steals A Third Weekend


On a weekend that saw no new releases, Universal's How the Grinch Stole Christmas had no difficulty stealing the top box office spot for the third weekend in a row, earning an estimated $27.1 million and bringing its 17-day total to an astounding $172 million.

It appears almost certain to become the biggest box office hit of the year. Grinch's rivals lined up pretty much the same way they did a week ago, with Disney's Unbreakable remaining in second place, earning about $15 million, and its 102 Dalmatians pulling in $8.2 million.

Disney execs had said last week that they expected parents and kids to flock to the highly promoted movie this week after they had already seen Grinch. Instead, it sank 51 percent. "The picture is a bona fide disappointment," entertainment analyst Art Rockwell told Bloomberg News Sunday.

Paramount's Rugrats in Paris: The Movie plunged 63 percent to wind up with $6.5 million. It was followed in fifth place by Charlie's Angels, which managed to take in $5.2 million to bring its five-week total to $115.6 million.

Sales for the top 12 films reached $83.2 million, up 17 percent from the comparable week a year ago.

The top ten films for the weekend, according to studio estimates compiled by Exhibitor Relations: 1. Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas, $27.1 million; 2. Unbreakable, $15 million; 3. 102 Dalmatians, $8.2 million; 4. Rugrats in Paris: The Movie, $6.5 million; 5. Charlie's Angels, $5.2 million; 6. Bounce, $4.4 million; 7. Men of Honor, $4.2 million; 8. The Sixth Day, $4 million; 9. Meet the Parents, $3.8 million; 10. Little Nicky, $2.4 million.

Source: Studio Briefing