'Phantom' Sets Record

Thursday February 25, 1999 12:00 AM EST

The new "Star Wars" film reached the $200 million mark in a record 13 days, while "Notting Hill" took in $27.8 million with its mix of Julia Roberts and romance, according to industry estimates. The only other new film in wide release, "The Thirteenth Floor," opened in fifth place. (The sci-fi film noir grossed a disappointing $4.3 million.) "Star Wars: Episode I -- The Phantom Menace" topped the four-day Memorial Day holiday box office with $64.8 million, for a total gross of $205 million in less than two weeks. It took the previous $200-mil record-holder, "Independence Day," 30 days to reach the mark in 1996.

  • "The Love Letter," which, like "Notting Hill," is also billed as a romantic alternative to "Star Wars," tanked in its second week, dropping out of the Top 10 with a meager gross of $1.3 million. "The Mummy," however, keeps picking up speed, and placed No. 3 this weekend with $12.7 million. "The Matrix," at No. 6, earned $3.1 million -- an impressive feat at this stage.

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