‘Payback’ Produces a Big Payoff

“Payback” starring Mel Gibson took in $21.2 million to claim the third highest-ever gross for a February opening.

“Teen movies have been dominating the box office over the last few weeks, then along comes a big star like Mel Gibson and he blows everybody else away,” said Paul Dergarabedian, president of Exhibitors Relations Co. “It shows that if you have a marquee name in a familiar role, they can bring in audiences.”

“Saving Private Ryan,” which returned to wide release over the weekend, has taken in $194.6 million since opening last July.

Weekend Box Office

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Three-day gross/ Screens/ Weeks in Movie (Studio) Total (millions) Average Release 1. “Payback” $21.2 2,720 1 (Paramount) $21.2 $7,802 2. “She’s All That” $11.7 2,620 2 (Miramax) $30.7 $4,447 3. “Patch Adams” $4.4 2,729 7 (Universal) $122.4 $1,615 4. “Varsity Blues” $3.8 2,364 4 (Paramount) $44.3 $1,625 5. “Saving Private Ryan” $3.6 1,027 1 (DreamWorks) $3.6* $3,515 6. “Shakespeare in Love” $3.5 833 9 (Miramax) $36.2 $4,158 7. “A Civil Action” $3.1 2,031 7 (Disney/Touchstone) $51.6 $1,514 8. “Stepmom” $2.5 2,358 7 (Sony/Columbia) $87.2 $1,066 9. “Simply Irresistible” $2.2 1,359 1 (Fox) $2.2 $1,643 10. “You’ve Got Mail” $2.19 2,016 8 (Warner Bros.) $111.1 $1,086

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SOURCE: Exhibitor Relations Co.