WEEKEND BOX OFFICE

The imposing figure of Arnold Schwarzenegger cast a largish shadow over last weekend’s box office take. “Predator,” the latest Schwarzenegger vehicle, searched and destroyed 1,623 screens for 20th Century Fox, seizing just over $12 million in its opening weekend. The weekend’s other high-profile opener, “The Witches of Eastwick” from Warner Bros., conjured up $9,454,238 at 1,203 theaters, garnering an impressive per-screen average of $8,571. Last week’s one-two punch from Paramount--”Beverly Hills Cop II” and “The Untouchables”--continued strongly; “Cop II” took in $8.6 million at 2,326 houses, while Eliot Ness’ group got just over $7 million at 1,012 sites. “Cop II” should pass the $100 million mark this week; as of Monday, the Eddie Murphy vehicle had accumulated $97,747,913. Last weekend’s other debut offering, Orion’s “The Believers,” did decently: $4.3 million at 1,534 screens. Universal’s “Harry and the Hendersons” actually improved a bit (1%, to be precise) over its disappointing opening weekend, lighting up 1,419 sites for $4.1 million. But DeLaurentiis Group’s “Million Dollar Mystery,” which promises to pay some lucky audience member $1 million, barely took in half that amount its opening weekend: only $513,731 at 1,396 screens.

Figures courtesy of Exhibitor Relations Co.