‘Empire’ Continues to Rule at Box Office

“The Empire Strikes Back” continued its box-office reign for a second weekend with $12.6 million in ticket sales, but big brother “Star Wars” was the victim of a mob hit, according to Sunday estimates.

“Donnie Brasco,” starring Al Pacino in yet another gangster film, grossed $11.2 million in its opening to knock “Star Wars” out of second place.

The first episode of the George Lucas space trilogy earned $7 million, according to Exhibitor Relations Co.

“Donnie Brasco” had the best per-screen average of the top 10 films at $7,452. Johnny Depp co-stars as an undercover FBI agent in the fact-based crime drama.

Audiences for “Empire” and “Star Wars” dropped 43% and 37%, respectively, over the previous weekend. Those dips are within the range expected for new films, let alone re-releases.

The perils of Luke Skywalker and friends have aged well--and lucratively. “Star Wars,” first released in 1977, has grossed $447.9 million domestically when its refurbished re-release is counted. “Empire” has taken in $262.4 million theatrically since it debuted in 1980.

The weekend’s only other major film debut was “Booty Call,” a raunchy dating comedy that finished fourth with $6.4 million.

Though out of the top 10, “Jerry Maguire” continued to amass cash with $2.6 million for a 12-week take of $135.1 million. Two Oscar-nominated independents, “The English Patient” and “Shine,” grossed $2.2 million and $2.1 million, respectively.

Several films opened in limited release. “Smilla’s Sense of Snow,” a thriller with Julia Ormond, had $100,000 in ticket sales and the gambling drama “Hard Eight” had $61,000.

Final weekend box-office figures will be released today.

The top 10 films from Friday through Sunday:

1. “The Empire Strikes Back,” $12.6 million.

2. “Donnie Brasco,” $11.2 million.

3. “Star Wars,” $7 million.

4. “Booty Call,” $6.4 million.

5. “Absolute Power,” $5.7 million.

6. “Dante’s Peak,” $5.1 million.

7. “Vegas Vacation,” $4.5 million.

8. “Fools Rush In,”$3.7 million.

9. “Marvin’s Room,” $3.5 million.

10. “Rosewood,” $2.8 million.