Indiana Jones Whips a Record

When it comes to breaking box-office records, George Lucas and Steven Spielberg have no one left to beat but themselves. The two film makers have had a hand in the six biggest-grossing pictures of all time (E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, Star Wars, Return of the Jedi, The Empire Strikes Back, Jaws and Raiders of the Lost Ark). Last week the dominant duo shattered some earnings records again with Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, directed by Spielberg and co-produced by Lucas. The new film sold $45.7 million worth of tickets during its first week in theaters, compared with $45.3 million for the previous record holder, Lucas' 1983 Star Wars sequel, Return of the Jedi. Indiana Jones beat the single-day record as well, earning $9.3 million, compared with $8.4 million for Jedi.

Part of the reason the new movie did so well was the number of screens on which it opened. Indiana Jones played in 1,685 theaters, compared with Jedi's initial 1,002. Although it is off to a roaring start, Indiana Jones will need plenty of endurance to earn more than the most successful film of all time, Spielberg's E. T., which has made an extraordinary $621 million.