Did “Austin Powers” beat “Star Wars” at the box office over the weekend?
Yeah, baby!
Mike Myers’ highly hyped comedy sequel, “Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me,” clobbered George Lucas’ sci-fi epic by more than 2-to-1, said Exhibitor Relations, which tracks movie profits.
In its first three days, the shagadelic spy spoof raked in $54.7 million, skyrocketing past “Star Wars: Episode 1 – The Phantom Menace,” which fell to second place with a take of $25.4 million.
But don’t count “Star Wars” out.
The space opera – which was the No. 1 movie for three weeks in a row – has now grossed $296.7 million since its May 19 debut.
Still, the adventures of Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker were no match for the groovy appeal of “The Spy Who Shagged Me,” the sequel to Myers’ 1997 hit, “Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery.”
The new “Powers” far exceeded industry expectations, collecting more in its first three days than the original made in its entire theatrical run.
It also became the top-opening comedy, beating last year’s Adam Sandler smash “The Waterboy,” which debuted with $39.4 million, and was the top June opener, beating “Batman Forever,” which collected $52.7 million in June 1995.
It was also the No. 2 non-holiday weekend opener, behind only “The Phantom Menace,” with $64.8 million last month.
“There seemed to be a hunger for a comedy,” said New Line distribution chief Al Shapiro.
He noted audience expectations for the sequel began building when the original – which had so-so box office returns – caught on in video, becoming the No. 1 seller of 1998, with a grab of $44 million.
The Julia Roberts-Hugh Grant romance, “Notting Hill,” took the No. 3 spot, with a respectable $11.2 million. It has now made $67.5 million in three weeks.
At No. 4, the critically slammed Anthony Hopkins thriller “Instinct” had a disappointing gross of $6.8 million.
In the No. 5 spot, “The Mummy” kept on scaring up profits, with a $5.1 million gross. The Brendan Fraser horror flick has now taken in $135.9 million in six weeks.
“Entrapment,” the Sean Connery thriller, and “The Matrix” with Keanu Reeves, took the No. 6 and No. 7 positions, with grosses of $2.6 million and $2.1 million respectively.
Rounding out the list were “The Thirteenth Floor,” with $1.3 million, “Never Been Kissed,” with $850,000, and “Tea With Mussolini,” with $770,000.