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'Scream 3' wins weekend ticket race

Associated Press

LOS ANGELES-"Scream 3" shouted down Leonardo DiCaprio's new film to retain the top spot at the box office, according to industry estimates Sunday.

The third movie in the horror franchise took in $16.4 million in its second weekend. DiCaprio's "The Beach," about an American backpacker's ill-fated search for paradise, opened in second place with $15 million, according to Exhibitor Relations Co. Inc., which tracks movie ticket sales.

Two kid-flicks also debuted in the top five. "Snow Day," a comedy about children wreaking havoc when a blizzard closes their school, grossed $14.8 million for third place. The movie co-stars Chevy Chase, Jean Smart, Chris Elliott and Pam Grier.

"The Tigger Movie," Disney's animated Winnie the Pooh tale, was No. 4 with $9.2 million.

Last weekend's No. 2 film, the Oscar contender "The Hurricane," dropped to fifth place with $3.6 million.

Ticket sales for "Scream 3" dropped 53 percent from its $34.7 million opening last weekend. The movie has grossed $57 million in 10 days.

Panned by many critics, "The Beach" puts DiCaprio in a far darker role than the heroic heartthrob he played in "Titanic," the all-time box-office leader.

Distributor 20th Century Fox said it was not disappointed by the film's No. 2 slot.

"Disappointing is when nobody comes to a movie. That's disappointment," said Tom Sherak, the studio's head of distribution.

The movie's R rating cut off some of DiCaprio's biggest fans, girls under 17 who would have to see the movie with a parent or guardian. Even so, women made up 57 percent of the movie's audience, and more than half of them were under 25.

"There were a lot of guys that went to the movie, and there was enough adventure in it for them. But anytime you have a male star that females are really interested in, they're generally dragging the guys to see it," Sherak said.

After two months that were heavy on adult-oriented films vying for Oscar consideration, the weekend offered a truly diverse lineup.

"It's the first weekend in a long time that spoke to every demographic," said Paul Dergarabedian, president of Exhibitor Relations. "A horror movie with 'Scream 3,' a date movie with DiCaprio, a movie for the family and older kids with 'Snow Day,' and 'Tigger' for families with little kids."

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at North American theaters, according to Exhibitor Relations. Final figures were to be released Monday:

1. "Scream 3," $16.4 million.

2. "The Beach," $15 million.

3. "Snow Day," $14.8 million.

4. "The Tigger Movie," $9.2 million.

5. "The Hurricane," $3.6 million.

6. "The Green Mile," $3 million.

7. "Next Friday," $2.8 million.

8. "Stuart Little," $2.7 million.

9. "Galaxy Quest," $2.2 million.

10. "Eye of the Beholder," $2.1 million.