‘Fifth Element’ Remains First at the Box Office

“The Fifth Element,” starring Bruce Willis as a cabbie-turned-hero in futuristic New York, held on in the top box-office spot for a second weekend with $11.6 million in ticket sales, according to industry estimates Sunday.

The Robin Williams-Billy Crystal comedy “Fathers’ Day” was second with $6.4 million, followed by “Breakdown” with about $6 million, according to Exhibitor Relations Co.

Final figures were to be released today.

The weekend was a thin one for new releases. Studios held back their blockbusters to avoid competition with the expected summer giant “Lost World: Jurassic Park,” which opens Friday.

Only two new films made the top 10 list.

“Night Falls on Manhattan,” starring Andy Garcia in a story of police corruption, grossed $3 million to tie for sixth place with “Liar Liar.”

“Sprung,” a comedy about a young black couple, earned $2.5 million.

Both films opened in broad limited release, playing on about 760 screens, compared to about 2,500 each for “The Fifth Element” and “Fathers’ Day.”

“Liar Liar,” Jim Carrey’s antic comedy, now has taken in $160.4 million in nine weeks. Its latest gross was off just 17% from the previous week, considered excellent for a major film and especially for one that is more than 2 months old.

By comparison, “The Fifth Element” lost 32%.

Comedies and special effects films dominated the top 10 list.

“Austin Powers, International Man of Mystery” was fourth with $5.6 million, followed by “Volcano” with a gross of $3.6 million.

“Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion” was ninth with $2.2 million and the killer snake film “Anaconda” was No. 10 with $2.1 million.

Several well-reviewed films opened in very limited release.

“Love! Valour! Compassion!” was on 14 screens and earned $150,000. “The Van” grossed $25,100 from three screens.

The top 10 films from Friday through Sunday:

1. “The Fifth Element,” $11.6 million.

2. “Fathers’ Day,” $6.4 million.

3. “Breakdown,” $6 million.

4. “Austin Powers, International Man of Mystery,” $5.6 million.

5. “Volcano,” $3.6 million.

6. “Liar Liar,” $3 million.

6. “Night Falls on Manhattan,” $3 million.

8. “Sprung,” $2.5 million.

9. “Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion,” $2.2 million.

10. “Anaconda,” $2.1 million.