‘Gladiator’ Finds Glory in No. 1 Spot

“Gladiator” launched the summer movie season with gusto and may have revived the Roman spectacle, a film genre all but dormant for decades, when it grossed $34.8 million to capture the No. 1 spot in this week’s box-office rankings.

“I Dreamed of Africa” was a major disappointment, debuting in ninth place with $2.4 million, while “Up at the Villa” and “Human Traffic” opened in limited release. “Frequency” and “Love and Basketball” continue to be surprise, small-scale hits.

Weekend Box Office

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Three-day gross/ Screens/ Weeks in Movie (Studio) Total (millions) Average Release 1. “Gladiator” $34.8 2,938 1 (DreamWorks) $34.8 $11,851 2. “U-571” $7.8 2,701 3 (Universal) $49.6 $2,875 3. “The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas” $6.6 3,051 2 (Universal) $18.6 $2,175 4. “Frequency” $6.5 2,631 2 (New Line) $17.9 $2,476 5. “Where the Heart Is” $5.1 2,439 2 (Fox) $15.7 $2,096 6. “Love & Basketball” $3.1 1,192 3 (New Line) $19.6 $2,631 7. “Keeping the Faith” $2.8 2,014 4 (Disney/Touchstone) $29.5 $1,381 8. “Rules of Engagement” $2.45 2,261 5 (Paramount) $54.1 $1,081 9. “I Dreamed of Africa” $2.41 2,112 1 (Sony/Columbia) $2.41 $1,142 10. “28 Days” $2.3 2,413 4 (Sony/Columbia) $32.0 $976 “Up at the Villa” $339,819 89 1 (USA Films) $339,819 $3,818 “Human Traffic” $10,595 5 1 (Miramax) $10,595 $2,119

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SOURCE: Exhibitor Relations Co.