Here are the best-selling movies of the week. Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of the Christ” took in $51.4 million in its second weekend to remain the top movie, racing past the $200 million mark in just 12 days. Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson’s action comedy “Starsky & Hutch” debuted in second place with $29 million, while Viggo Mortensen’s horse-racing adventure “Hidalgo” opened at No. 3 with $19.6 million, according to studio estimates Sunday.
“The Passion,” Gibson’s bloody re-enactment of Christ’s crucifixion, has grossed $212 million so far in the United States and Canada. The movie is expected to top $300 million, said Bob Berney, president of Newmarket Films. The independent distributor was hired by Gibson to release “The Passion” after Hollywood studios passed on it.
The film, which stars Jim Caviezel as Christ, held up strongly, with receipts down just 39 percent from its huge opening weekend of $83.8 million. Movies debuting to such high numbers often drop 50 percent or more in their second weekends.
Estimated ticket sales are in millions of dollars, for Friday through Sunday at North American theaters.
%% MOVIE TICKET SALES
The Passion of the Christ $51.4
Starsky & Hutch $29
Hidalgo $19.6
50 First Dates $7.7
Twisted $5
Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen $4
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King $3.2
Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights $2.8
Miracle $2.6
Monster $2.2
%% Estimated sales according to Exhibitor Relations Co. Inc. Source: AP
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