"Apocalypto" battles to top of DVD charts

By Thomas K. Arnold

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Mel Gibson's brutal tale of ancient Maya, "Apocalypto," took the top spot on the latest national DVD sales and rental charts Wednesday.

The film, which grossed $50.9 million in theaters last year, bumped "Pan's Labyrinth" to No. 2 on both the Nielsen VideoScan First Alert sales chart and Home Media Magazine's rental chart in the week ended May 27.

"Apocalypto" generated an estimated $6 million in rental revenue in its first week, while "Labyrinth" brought in $5.6 million to bring its two-week take to $12 million.

The Gibson film also trumped two other theatrical features that debuted in stores last week. "Letters From Iwo Jima," which earned $13.8 million in theaters, debuted at No. 3 on the sales chart and No. 4 on the rental chart with estimated rental revenue of $4.4 million. "Epic Movie" bowed at No. 4 on the sales chart and No. 3 on the rental chart with $5.4 million.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter