LOS ANGELES – George Clooney assassinated the competition to top the box office over the Labor Day weekend with his thriller “The American,” besting the debut of “Machete” and outpacing last week’s champ, “Takers,” according to final figures released.
“The American” earned $16.7 million between Friday and Monday’s Labor Day holiday, while “Machete” — starring first-time leading man Danny Trejo — collected $14.1 million in its debut to place second, according to Hollywood.Com Box-Office.
“Takers” slipped from first place to third, earning $13.5 million over the four-day stretch, while “The Last Exorcism” finished fourth with $8.7 million. The long-distance romance “Going the Distance” debuted in fifth place, earning $6.9 million.
Rounding out the top 10 films were “The Expendables,” ($8.3 million); “The Other Guys,” ($5.3 million); “Eat Pray Love,” ($6.2 million); “Inception,” ($5.9 million); and “Nanny McPhee Returns,” ($4.8 million).
