‘Police Academy’ Slowing Down?

Is Warner’s “Police Academy” series--which to date has grossed half a billion dollars internationally--losing some of its audience appeal? “Police Academy 6: City Under Seige” opened at $4.0 million at 1,627 theaters, down nearly 35% from the opening weekend grosses at the same time last year for “Police Academy 5.” Another new opener, Tri-Star’s “Chances Are,” starring Cybill Shepherd and Robert Downey Jr., looked better on a per-screen basis ($4,378) than its total weekend gross of $3.7 million.

*Director Terry Gilliam’s epic fanstasy, “Baron Munchausen,” a Columbia film, enjoyed a strong opening in limited release in eight cities, grossing $597,400 at 45 theaters, for a per-screen average of $13,276. Studio executives hope that good word of mouth will build before the film goes wider Easter weekend.

WEEKEND BOX OFFICE

Weekend Gross/ Screens/ Weeks Movie(Studio) Total (millions) Average in Release 1.”Lean on Me” $4.6 991 2 Warner $11.0 $4,621 2.”Police Academy 6” $4.0 1,627 1 Warner $4.0 $2,478 3.”Skin Deep” $3.9 1,062 2 Fox $7.2 $3,688 4.”Chances Are” $3.7 837 1 Tri-Star $3.7 $4,378 5.”Rain Man” $3.1 1,571 13 MGM/UA $126.0 $1,999 *”Baron Munchausen” $.597 45 1 Columbia $.597 $13,276

SOURCE: Exhibitor Relations Co.