Box office slump defies new ‘Batman’

Batman was powerful enough to rule the box office, but the superhero was unable to pull Hollywood out of its worst slump in 20 years.

“Batman Begins” debuted as last weekend’s top film with $48.7 million. But overall movie revenues skidded for the 17th straight weekend – tying a 1985 slide that had been the longest box-office decline since analysts began keeping detailed records on movie grosses.

The slump may be a sign that more people are seeing movies at home. An Associated Press-AOL poll last week found that 73 percent of adults prefer watching movies on DVD, videotape or pay-per-view rather than going to the theater.

Studio executives blame the downturn on a comparatively weak lineup of movies this year and say it will take more time to determine if DVDs and other home-entertainment options are eroding theater business.

“We’re still product-driven, and even though there were and will continue to be strong movies in the summer, I don’t think there have been enough of them,” said Dan Fellman, head of distribution for Warner Bros.