‘Engagement’ Rules the Weekend

“Rules of Engagement,” a military drama starring Tommy Lee Jones and Samuel L. Jackson, grossed $15 million on its maiden weekend to dislodge “Erin Brockovich” from the No. 1 spot at the box office. The Julia Roberts film had been in first place for three consecutive weeks and has taken in nearly $90 million.

The romantic comedy “Return to Me” opened in fourth place with $7.8 million while the wrestling-themed “Ready to Rumble” made its crunching debut with a fairly lackluster $5.3 million for sixth place.

Weekend Box Office

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Three-day gross/ Screens/ Weeks in Movie (Studio) Total (millions) Average Release 1. “Rules of Engagement” $15.0 3,155 1 (Paramount) $15.0 $4,758 2. “Erin Brockovich” $9.8 3,004 4 (Universal) $89.6 $3,265 3. “The Road to El Dorado” $9.1 3,223 2 (DreamWorks) $25.1 $2,819 4. “Return to Me” $7.8 2,007 1 (MGM) $7.8 $3,897 5. “The Skulls” $6.5 2,416 2 (Universal) $20.2 $2,670 6. “Ready to Rumble” $5.3 2,585 1 (Warner Bros.) $5.3 $2,034 7. “Romeo Must Die” $4.6 2,289 3 (Warner Bros.) $45.8 $1,989 8. “High Fidelity” $4.2 1,229 2 (Disney/Touchstone) $12.8 $3,451 9. “Final Destination” $3.8 2,014 4 (New Line) $33.9 $1,904 10. “American Beauty” $3.3 1,934 30 (DreamWorks) $121.6 $1,731 “Black and White”* $2.2 1,284 1 (Sony/Screen Gems) $3.0 $1,723

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*Opened Wednesday

SOURCE: Exhibitor Relations Co.