As evidenced by last Friday's reviews, critics may have been eager to write off the latest serial-killer thriller The Watcher, but, as evidenced by the box-office returns, audiences were not.

The Keanu Reeves starrer from Universal sold more tickets than any other film, according to studio estimates, earning $9.1 million. Another new release, Nurse Betty, from USA Films, landed in second place with $7.3 million. Another new film, Way of the Gun, opened in ninth place with about $2.2 million. The cheerleader comedy Bring It On, which had held the top spot during the previous two weeks, slipped to No. 3 with $6.5 million.

Overall, the box office performed drearily, falling 28 percent below results for the same weekend a year ago, according to Exhibitor Relations. Entertainment analyst Art Rockwell told Bloomberg News: "We've hit rock bottom. Even the good pictures that are out there didn't do much business."

The top ten films for the weekend, according to studio estimates compiled by Exhibitor Relations:

1. The Watcher, $9.1 million
2. Nurse Betty, $7.3 million
3. Bring It On, $6.5 million
4. The Cell, $3.5 million
5. Space Cowboys, $3.3 million
6. What Lies Beneath, $2.9 million
7. The Original Kings of Comedy, $2.5 million
8. The Art of War, $2.4 million
9. The Way of the Gun, $2.2 million
10. Highlander: Endgame, $1.8 million

Source: Studio Briefing