In its opening weekend, Universal's low-budget teen comedy ''American Pie'' was sweet enough to replace ''Wild Wild West'' as the box office champ. Favorable reviews and hot young stars (Natasha Lyonne, Chris Klein) helped ''Pie'' -- the tale of four sex-starved high school seniors vying to lose their virginity before prom night -- rake in $18.1 million, an impressive total considering the film's budget was just $11 million. Not to worry about Will Smith, he's still roping in audiences: ''Wild Wild West'' surprised its many critics by earning a healthy $16.7 million its second weekend. Many industry analysts had predicted the Fourth of July action flick (which has made $76 million so far) would fizzle after mediocre reviews and negative word of mouth, but no such luck.
''Arlington Road,'' the weekend's only other opener, debuted at No. 6 with $7.4 million, tied with ''Star Wars: Episode I -- The Phantom Menace.'' Despite A-list stars (Jeff Bridges and Tim Robbins) and a buzz-worthy ending, ''Road'' didn't have enough drive to topple blockbuster holdovers ''Big Daddy'' ($16.3 million), ''Tarzan'' ($11.3 million), and ''The General's Daughter'' ($8.1 million), which rounded out the top 5.
Posted Jul 12, 1999
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