Hollywood, June 16: A major surprise was sprung at the box office this weekend, when the animated Finding Nemo, released two weeks ago, leapt back to No.1. And with a whopping $29.2 million, the Buena Vista/Disney and Pixair Animation Studios release left competition gasping for air.
Last week’s record-breaking numero uno 2 Fast 2 Furious swerved into second spot with a haul of $19.1 million. A notch below is Bruce Almighty, the Jim Carrey comedy that took $14.2 million.
Finding Nemo’s feat is all the more noteworthy considering it beat three brand new releases this week, Hollywood Homicide, Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd and another animated caper Rugrats Go Wild.
In comparison to last year, this weekend’s ticket sales proved to be meagre but there is hope yet. The coming weeks feature potential blockbusters including The Hulk, Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle, Terminator 3: Rise of The Machines and Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde.
Buena Vista/Disney and Pixar Animation Studios` G rated computer-animated feature Finding Nemo jumped back to first place this week with an ESTIMATED $29.2 million (-37%) at 3,425 theaters (+34 theaters; $8,526 per theater). Its cume is approximately $192.3 million and headed for the $200 million mark.



Directed and co-written by Pixar veteran Andrew Stanton, it features the voices of Albert Brooks, Ellen DeGeneres, Alexander Gould, Willem Dafoe and Brad Garrett. Universal Pictures` PG-13-rated action-packed sequel 2 Fast 2 Furious fell back to No. 2 in its second week with an ESTIMATED $19.1 million (-62%) at 3,418 theaters (+10 theaters; $5,588 per theater). Its cume is approximately $84 million.



Directed by John Singleton, it stars Paul Walker, Tyrese, Eva Mendes, Cole Hauser and Devon Aoki.
Universal Pictures` PG-13 Bruce Almighty remained in third place in its fourth week with an ESTIMATED $14.2 million (-36%) at 3,477 theaters (-72 theaters; $4,084 per theater average). Its cume is approximately $193.8 million and headed for the $200 million mark.



Directed by Tom Shadyac, it stars Jim Carrey, Jennifer Aniston and Morgan Freeman.
Paramount`s PG rated animated feature Rugrats Go Wild opened in the No. 4 spot with an ESTIMATED $12.5 million at 3,041 theaters with a $4,110 per theater average.



The movie revolves around Nickelodeon regulars the Rugrats and The Wild Thornberrys, who team up to get off a deserted island. This third Rugrats feature failed to open as strongly as the first two installments. The original pic, The Rugrats Movie opened Nov. 20, 1998, with $27.3 million, while the second installment, Rugrats in Paris - The Movie, bowed into theaters Nov. 17, 2000, with $22.7 million.



Directed by Norton Virgien and John Eng, it features the voices of Michael Bell, Jodi Carlisle, Nancy Cartwright, Lacey Chabert, Melanie Chartoff, Cheryl Chase, Tim Curry, Elizabeth Daily and Bruce Willis. Sony Picture`s PG-13 cop comedy Hollywood Homicide failed to make a splash and premiered in fifth place with an ESTIMATED $11.7 million at 2,840 theaters with a $4,120 per theater average.



In the film, a veteran police detective and his fresh-faced partner are more interested in their side jobs than in the high-profile gangland-style murder they are currently investigating.



Directed by Ron Shelton, it stars Harrison Ford and Josh Hartnett.
New Line`s PG-13 comedy Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd opened in sixth place with a disappointing ESTIMATED take of $11 million at 2,609 theaters with a $4,241 per theater average.



Set in 1986, the film is a prequel to the 1994 Jim Carrey vehicle Dumb & Dumber, and reveals how mentally challenged best friends Harry and Lloyd became pals.



Directed by Troy Miller, it stars Eric Christian Olsen, Derek Richardson, Eugene Levy and Cheri Oteri.


Bureau Report