‘Mohicans’ Breaks a Dry Spell

Twentieth Century Fox’s dry spell at the box office was broken with the premiere of “The Last of the Mohicans.” The retelling of the American classic stars Daniel Day-Lewis and is the second frontier epic in two months to hit big. In August, Clint Eastwood’s “Unforgiven” opened to rousing numbers.

Business was stronger than is usual for the often-slow September period. The caper comedy “Sneakers” and the lightweight “Captain Ron” held their own. However, three other new films produced only so-so business: Billy Crystal’s “Mr. Saturday Night,” “Sarafina!” and “Innocent Blood.” And, despite scandal-related publicity, grosses for Woody Allen’s “Husbands and Wives” fell almost 50%.

Competition should heat up this weekend as at least six more major films arrive, among them Dustin Hoffman in “Hero,” Disney’s kid-action picture “The Mighty Ducks” and MGM’s “Of Mice and Men.”

Weekend Box Office

Weekend Gross/ Screens/ Weeks in Movie (Studio) Total (millions) Average Release 1. “The Last of the Mohicans” $11 1,491 1 (Fox) $11 $7,362 2. “Sneakers” $5.7 2,062 3 (Universal) $29.4 $2,775 3. “Captain Ron” $4.8 1,533 2 (Touchstone) $11 $3,158 4. “Mr. Saturday Night” $4.5 1,687 1 (Columbia) $4.6 $2,675 5. “Singles” $3.3 1,330 2 (Warner Bros.) $9 $2,520 6. “School Ties” $2.66 804 2 (Paramount) $6.5 $3,316 7. “Sarafina!” $2.2 686 2 (Hollywood) $2.3 $3,144 8. “Innocent Blood” $1.86 1,326 1 (Warner Bros.) $1.86 $1,401 9. “Husbands and Wives” $1.8 868 2 (TriStar) $6.3 $2,555 10. “Honeymoon in Vegas” $1.7 1,651 5 (Columbia) $30.6 $1,037

SOURCE: Exhibitor Relations Co.