HOLLYWOOD, June 21 (UPI) -- The summer movie season in the United States has registered its worst start since 2001 with box office revenue of $1.34 billion after seven weeks.
Last year's numbers were skewed by the hugely popular "Passion of Christ" and its $371 million take at the box office, Variety reported Tuesday.
Last year also had six pictures that grossed more than $100 million while 2005 looks to have five that take in that much -- "Star Wars," "Madagascar," "The Longest Yard," "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" and "Batman Begins."
Receipts since the first week of May -- seven weekends into the most lucrative box office season -- stand at $1.34 billion. That's the weakest summer start since 2001.
The $120 million gap between year-to-date totals for 2004 and 2005 demonstrates the hit-and-miss nature of the movie industry, the entertainment industry publication reported.
