Slashers slash all competitors at box office

Posted Monday, August 18, 2003 at 7:49 AM Central

by John Couture

Sometimes, two serial killers are better than one. Freddy and Jason made light work of the competition this weekend as they eased their way to the top of the North American box office.

The pair carted off an estimated $36.43 million, almost double its closest competition, S.W.A.T. ($18.60 million). The opening was also more than the total grosses of the pair's previous movies. Jason X only managed $11.7 million last year, while Wes Craven's New Nightmare took in a meager $18 million in 1994.

Among the other new movies this weekend, Kevin Costner's Western Open Range mustered $14.10 million good enough for third place, while MGM's Uptown Girls fell into fifth place with $11.20 million.