Weekend Is One for the (Young) Ages

Younger filmgoers looking for a few laughs ruled theaters this weekend as two comedies, “Down to You” and “Next Friday,” topped the box office, according to industry estimates Sunday.

The films are attracting teenagers and young adults, a segment that industry analysts said is eager to head to the theater after a run of adult-oriented movies such as “The Green Mile,” “The Cider House Rules” and “Magnolia.”

“If you’re a teenager and you’ve been looking for something to go see over the past few weeks, it’s been pretty slim pickings,” said Paul Dergarabedian, president of Exhibitor Relations Co., which tracks the box office.

“Down to You,” a romantic comedy starring Freddie Prinze Jr. and Julia Stiles as a couple attending college in New York City, took in $8.3 million to grab the top spot during its first weekend.

“Next Friday” took in $8.2 million in its second weekend. The film, a sequel to the 1995 comedy “Friday,” stars rapper Ice Cube hiding out from a neighborhood bully.

The original movie earned just $27 million in its first theatrical release but was a hit on video. The sequel continues to attract a wide audience, with whites making up about 40% of the audience, said David Tuckerman, head of distribution for New Line Cinema.

Its popularity could have propelled it to No. 1 had it shown in more theaters. In 1,175 theaters, “Next Friday” had the highest per-screen average for the weekend at $6,979, compared to $4,211 for “Down to You.”

Another weekend success was “Angela’s Ashes,” based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Frank McCourt about his impoverished upbringing in Ireland. The movie went into wider release, showing in 610 theaters and taking in $3.3 million.

While it was No. 10, its per-screen average was second best at $5,410. Paramount Pictures won’t discuss whether the movie will expand to more theaters in the weeks ahead, preferring to see if it continues to build momentum.

“The Hurricane,” the Denzel Washington movie about boxer Rubin “Hurricane” Carter’s fight to clear his name after being convicted of murder, held steady at No. 3. It took in $7 million in its fourth week.

Final figures will be released Monday.