American Pie, a sort of modern-day Porky's about a bunch of high-schoolers trying to get lovin', proved (again) that raunchy sells tickets, leading the weekend box office with an $18.1 million debut.
Further demonstrating the power of crude, Adam Sandler's Big Daddy continued to urinate on the doors of the competition, coming in third with $16.3 million. The comedy has earned $116.8 million since its June 25 premiere.
Sandwiched between American Pie and Big Daddy at No. 2 was Wild Wild West. The Western-ized action flick, starring Will Smith and Kevin Kline, took in $16.7 million--a 40 percent drop-off from its debut last week. Despite its overall $76.4 million take, analysts are doubtful the falling-fast Warner Bros. offering will recoup its expensive production costs, rumored to be anywhere from $160-$180 million
Continuing to plug right along, Disney's Tarzan placed No. 4, while the John Travolta-starring intriguer The General's Daughter stayed strong--despite luke-warm reviews and strong competition--with $8.1 million at No. 5.
The weekend's new thriller, Arlington Road, with Tim Robbins and Jeff Bridges, tanked in its debut, taking just in $7.4 million, bad for No. 6.
The Star Wars prequel also earned $7.4 million and also landed in sixth place--but unlike Arlington Road, the space saga has been in theaters for a two blinkin' months and has grossed an overall $385.1 million.
Here's a complete look at the weekend Top 10, according to estimates from Exhibitor Relations.
1. American Pie, $18.1 million
2. Wild Wild West, $16.7 million
3. Big Daddy, $16.3 million
4. Tarzan, $11.3 million
5. The General's Daughter, $8.1 million
6. (tie) Arlington Road, $7.4 million
6. (tie) The Phantom Menace, $7.4 million
8. South Park: Bigger, Longer, Uncut, $7.1 million
9. Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, $6.5 million
10. Summer of Sam, $3.4 million