The Sixth Sense was unable to make it six in a row, as it took its biggest hit yet dropping 28% to $16.5 million. This allowed Stigmata to take the top spot with $18.3 million, the third biggest September opening ever behind Rush Hour's $33 million and The First Wives Club's $18.9 million. This finish was probably most surprising to MGM, who had already written off the $32 million production, though its final tally was a full million less than their Sunday estimate. The last time they had a #1 picture was March 1996 with The Birdcage, which coincidentally also opened with $18.3 million.

With $5.8 million, Stir of Echoes performed about as well as one could expect a picture starring Kevin Bacon to. It never really had a shot as its ad campaign focused on its similarities to The Sixth Sense.

Some controversy surrounds Love Stinks' pathetic $1.3 million opening. Its Sunday gross was about the same as Saturday's. Business always drops on Sunday unless Monday is a holiday. For instance, the other pictures saw drops of over 30%. What's more, even if the Sunday gross is correct, the dailies add up to $1.1 million not $1.3. Perhaps its studio added in results from its sneak preview the previous weekend.

Editor's Note: Articles published before 2001 were assigned and reported as box office briefings, not a full evaluation or analysis.