‘Mortal Kombat’ Tops ‘Anastasia’ In Box Office Sales

“Anastasia,” the latest challenger to Disney’s dominance in animated films, did well over the weekend but took a back seat to another movie aimed at the young: “Mortal Kombat Annihilation.”

The second film in a series of action-adventures based on the video game with the same name earned an estimated $17.5 million in weekend ticket sales, Exhibitor Relations Co. Inc. reported Sunday.

In second with $15 million was “Anastasia,” the big-budget musical produced by 20th Century Fox. Analysts called the performance a wake-up call to the Walt Disney Co.

“Mickey Mouse didn’t eat all weekend. He was very worried,” said industry analyst Robert Bucksbaum, president of Reel Source.

“This is probably the most recent movie that had other studios crossing their fingers for it. … (Disney) has been on top of the market for 60 years, and nobody has even come close.”

Disney has taken challenges for decades. Only one fully animated non-Disney movie has grossed more than $50 million at North American theaters: 1996’s “Beavis and Butthead Do America.”

An estimated $100 million was spent on producing and marketing “Anastasia,” a story about the Russian revolution and the Romanov czar’s daughter. Featuring voices by Meg Ryan, John Cusack and Kelsey Grammer, it was produced in a new animation studio 20th Century Fox built in Arizona.

Among other animated films waiting in the wings are “The Quest for Camelot” from Warner Bros. (scheduled to open May 22) and “The Prince of Egypt” from DreamWorks Pictures (November 1998).

Disney, meanwhile, saw its rerelease of “The Little Mermaid” animated blockbuster drop to No. 5 from No. 2 last weekend, earning $5.8 million.

“John Grisham’s The Rainmaker” from director Francis Ford Coppola had a strong showing, making its debut at No. 3 with $11 million.

However, Clint Eastwood’s “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil” had a lackluster opening: $5.2 million and sixth place.