‘Liar Liar’ Leads a Bull Market

Jim Carrey’s “Liar Liar” became the first 1997 non-reissue release to break the $100-million mark, helping to push this year’s box office 20% ahead of 1996’s record-setting pace.

Among the new entries, “The Saint” opened strongly despite mixed reaction to Val Kilmer’s offbeat portrayal; the new Bette Midler comedy, “That Old Feeling,” posted fair numbers; and “Double Team,” with Jean-Claude Van Damme and Dennis Rodman, and “Inventing the Abbotts,” with Liv Tyler, had disappointing debuts.

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Weekend Gross/ Screens/ Weeks in Movie (Studio) Total (millions) Average Release 1. “Liar Liar” $18.3 2,878 3 (Universal) $100.7 $6,350 2. “The Saint” $16.3 2,307 1 (Paramount) $16.3 $7,056 3. “Devil’s Own” $7.0 2,504 2 (Columbia) $29.6 $2,801 4. “That Old Feeling” $5.1 1,575 1 (Universal) $5.1 $3,240 5. “Double Team” $5.0 2,203 1 (Columbia) $5.0 $2,285 6. “Selena” $3.5 1,583 3 (Warner Bros.) $27.7 $2,183 7. “Jungle 2 Jungle” $3.2 2,050 5 (Walt Disney) $48.0 $1,560 8. “The Sixth Man” $2.9 1,231 2 (Disney/Touchstone) $8.9 $2,320 9. “Return of the Jedi” $2.8 1,339 4 (Fox) $303.4 $2,081 10. “Inventing the Abbotts” $2.3 898 1 (Fox) $2.3 $2,562 * “Chasing Amy” $52,446 3 1 (Miramax) $52,446 $17,482

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* “Chasing Amy,” the latest film by Kevin Smith (“Clerks”), got off to a promising start, averaging $17,482 on three screens.

SOURCE: Exhibitor Relations Co.