Even the Caped Crusader couldn’t save Hollywood from its latest disaster. Batman Begins debuted strongly with a weekend take of $49 million (and an opening five day tally of $71 M) but the superhero wasn’t able to pull the movie industry out of its biggest slump in 20 years. Despite the strong numbers for Batman Begins, overall movie revenues declined for the 17th straight weekend, tying a 1985 slide that had been the longest box-office decline on record. Total movie revenues this year are down 6.4 percent compared to 2004, according to Exhibitor Relations. When accounting for increased ticket prices, theatre admissions are off 9 percent so far in 2005.

Last weekend’s top film Mr. and Mrs Smith dropped to second spot with $26 M, while Madagascar was third with $11 M. Star Wars Episode III was fourth last weekend and with $348 M in total sales, it is now poised to move into the all-time top 10 list. Last weekend’s only other new release arrived with a thud: Hilary Duff’s box-office star continues to dim as The Perfect Man weakly took in only $5 M in its debut weekend.

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