‘Sixth Sense’ Is a Champ of ‘Titanic’ Proportions : Box Office Thriller’s ticket sales soar to $138.9 million. Banderas action film debuts at No. 2.

Bruce Willis’ ghostly thriller “The Sixth Sense” joined “Titanic” and “Phantom Menace” as the only movies in history to bring in more than $20 million for four straight weeks, according to industry estimates Sunday.

“The Sixth Sense,” which stars Willis as a therapist treating a boy who talks to the dead, grossed $20.1 million this week for a total of $138.9 million in four weeks.

Buena Vista captured the two top spots in a weekend crowded by eight new movies. The studio’s action thriller “13th Warrior,” starring Antonio Banderas as a diplomat roped into battle in 10th century Europe, grossed $10.3 million in its debut at No. 2.

The last studio to have both the No. 1 and No. 2 slots was 20th Century Fox with “Titanic” and the re-release of “Grease” in 1998.

Chuck Viane, president of Buena Vista distribution, expected some tough competition next week with the debut of “Chill Factor,” starring Cuba Gooding Jr. and Skeet Ulrich.

With so many movies opening this weekend, though, it was tough for any one film to garner a strong following, said Paul Dergarabedian, president of Exhibitor Relations Co. Inc., which tracks movie ticket sales.

“The Muse,” a highly publicized comedy starring Albert Brooks and Sharon Stone, opened with $4.2 million for seventh place.

The movie appeals to an older crowd that doesn’t typically run to the box office on opening weekend, Dergarabedian said.

The action film “In Too Deep,” starring Omar Epps and LL Cool J, placed eighth with $4.1 million, and “The Astronaut’s Wife,” with Johnny Depp, was 10th with $4 million.

“Typically summer blockbusters don’t come out in August,” Dergarabedian said. “So the timing for ‘Sixth Sense’ was perfect.”

It didn’t have to compete against heavy hitters such as “Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace,” “Notting Hill” or even “Wild Wild West,” he said.

“The Blair Witch Project,” meanwhile, slipped from No. 5 and tied for eighth place with $4.1 million.

The low-budget shocker has grossed $128 million since it opened in wide release five weeks ago, making it one of the most successful independent films in history.