Weekend Box Office : ‘Death’ Slays ‘Buffy’

“Death Becomes Her” opened to strong business--nearly twice the competition. But, unlike the movie’s premise, there is no elixir for long life at the box office. Question is: How much vigor will it have against Friday’s arrivals: Clint Eastwood’s “Unforgiven” and Disney’s “3 Ninjas,” which scored big numbers in weekend previews. Meanwhile, friends of Buffy, a.k.a “The Vampire Slayer,” must have been totally too busy shopping at the mall to see the film in its opening weekend. Not even TV teen-throb Luke Perry lured ticket buyers.

* “The Panama Deception,” about the U.S. invasion, its aftermath and alleged government cover-up, made a good showing in its debut at the NuWilshire, while the romantic “Enchanted April” from Miramax Pictures, did a lively $73,000 in five theaters.

Weekend Gross/ Screens/ Weeks in Movie (Studio) Total (millions) Average Release 1. “Death Becomes Her” $12.1 1,409 1 (Universal) $12.1 $8,595 2. “Honey, I Blew Up the Kid” $6.5 2,429 3 (Walt Disney) $38 $2,671 3. “Mo’ Money” $6.1 1,705 2 (Columbia) $23.4 $3,599 4. “A League of Their Own” $5.4 2,084 5 (Columbia) $75.8 $2,602 5. “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” $4.5 1,959 1 (Fox) $4.5 $2,305 6. “Sister Act” $3.9 1,888 10 (Touchstone) $111.6 $2,099 7. “Bebe’s Kids” $3 646 1 (Paramount) $3 $4,661 8. “Boomerang” $2.8 1,501 5 (Paramount) $59.2 $1,869 9. “Unlawful Entry” $2.6 1,420 6 (Fox) $46.8 $1,797 10. “Universal Soldier” $2.2 1,689 4 (TriStar) $30 $1,295 * “The Panama Deception” $6,563 1 1 (Empowerment Project) $6,563 $6,563

SOURCE: Exhibitor Relations Co.