Weekend Box Office : ‘Naked Gun’ Smells Success at Box Office

“Naked Gun 2 1/2: The Smell of Fear” coasted to a first-place finish during the weekend at the nation’s box offices, but “The Smell of Fear” is liable to be more apt a subtitle than anyone realized: “Terminator 2: Judgment Day,” starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, opens Wednesday, and industry watchers expect it will pulverize competition during the long Fourth of July weekend.

“Naked Gun 2 1/2” rides on the tails of the hit 1988 original and drew crowds of moviegoers despite mixed reviews. In second place, Kevin Costner’s “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves” collected almost $13 million in its third weekend. With about $79 million to date, it is the highest grossing summer movie so far.

“City Slickers” and “The Rocketeer” continued to draw well, but the Julia Roberts film “Dying Young” appeared to be dying fast. Estimated ticket sales for its second weekend show an unhealthy decline of more than 50% from the first weekend. “Backdraft” landed in sixth place and has sold $59 million in tickets since its Memorial Day weekend opening.

Weekend Gross/ Screens/ Weeks in Movie (Studio) Total (millions) Average Release 1. “Naked Gun 2 1/2” $20.8 2,378 1 (Paramount) $20.8 $8,754 2. “Robin Hood” $13 2,369 3 (Warner Bros.) $79.3 $5,511 3. “City Slickers” $8.9 2,108 4 (Columbia) $61.2 $4,240 4. “The Rocketeer” $7.2 1,903 2 (Disney) $21.6 $3,789 5. “Dying Young” $4.7 1,552 2 (Fox) $18 $3,028

SOURCES: Exhibitor Relations Co. and industry estimates