BOX OFFICE REPORT: Bangkok Dangerous number 1 film this weekend with only $7.8 million in sales

This was one of the slowest movie weekends in years.

The fall box office got off to its shakiest start in years as Danny and Oxide Pang’s Nicolas Cage hitman actioner “Bangkok Dangerous” barely beat holdover comedy “Tropic Thunder.”

The R-rated “Bangkok Dangerous,” distributed by Lionsgate, grossed an estimated $7.8 million as it bowed in 2,650 theaters. “Tropic Thunder,” which has enjoyed notably strong legs, declined 35% in its fourth frame to an estimated $7.5 million from 3,446. Cume is $96.8 million.

Weak sesh came just as studio specialty arms and indie distribs like Lionsgate gathered at the Toronto Film Festival to launch their key fall releases, such as the Coen brothers’ “Burn After Reading,” which opens next weekend. The film biz is counted on the pic to re-energize the box office.

“The Women,” the last Picturehouse title, also opens Friday. Picturehouse’s Bob Berney was in Toronto for the fest, although the pic did not play there.

The first weekend after Labor Day is always sluggish, but this year the frame was affected by the start of the NFL football season and was particularly dreary. Total ticket sales at the domestic B.O. are estimated at $64 million-$66 million for the weekend, making it the softest in eight years. In 2000, ticket sales came in at $61.7 million. After that, 2003 was the worst, bringing in just north of $67 million.

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theatres, according to Media By Numbers LLC. Final figures will be released Monday.

1. “Bangkok Dangerous,” $7.8 million.

2. “Tropic Thunder,” $7.5 million.

3. “The House Bunny,” $5.9 million.

4. “The Dark Knight,” $5.7 million.

5. “Traitor,” $4.7 million.

6. “Babylon A.D.,” $4 million.

7. “Death Race,” $3.6 million.

8.” Disaster Movie, $3.3 million.

9. “Mamma Mia,” $2.7 million.

10. “Pineapple Express,” $2.4 million.

[Credit: Variety / Media By Numbers]