At Last, a Hit for Star Banderas

Antonio Banderas finally achieved something that has eluded him during his career--the starring role in a certified box-office hit.

“The Mask of Zorro,” the swashbuckling tale from Sony’s TriStar Pictures co-starring Anthony Hopkins and Catherine Zeta-Jones, overcame stiff competition to top the box-office chart, grossing $22.5 million. The new comedy “There’s Something About Mary” earned $16.6 million for fourth place.

Six summer films now have grossed more than $100 million: “Deep Impact,” “Godzilla,” “The Truman Show,” “Mulan,” “Dr. Dolittle” and “Armageddon.” That compares with three by this time last year.

Fox Searchlight’s “Polish Wedding” bowed with $92,055 in limited release.

Weekend Box Office

*--*

Three-day gross/ Screens/ Weeks in Movie (Studio) Total (millions) Average Release 1. “The Mask of Zorro” $22.5 2,515 1 (Sony/TriStar) $22.5 $8,957 2. “Lethal Weapon 4” $21.7 3,117 2 (Warner Bros.) $71.7 $6,970 3. “Armageddon” $16.6 3,184 3 (Disney/Touchstone) $129.1 $5,211 4. “There’s Something About Mary” $13.7 2,186 1 (Fox) $17.8 $6,286 5. “Dr. Dolittle” $9.5 2,805 4 (Fox) $105.4 $3,379 6. “Small Soldiers” $8.6 2,613 2 (DreamWorks) $30.3 $3,310 7. “Mulan” $4.9 2,283 5 (Disney) $101.3 $2,152 8. “Madeline” $4.4 1,863 2 (Sony/TriStar) $15.3 $2,352 9. “The Truman Show” $2.2 1,540 7 (Paramount) $120.0 $1,411 10. “Six Days, Seven Nights” $2.1 1,416 6 (Disney/Touchstone) $67.5 $1,485 “Polish Wedding” $92,055 11 1 (Fox Searchlight) $92,055 $8,369

*--*

SOURCE: Exhibitor Relations Co.