Focusing on the strong July Fourth marketplace, Paramount distribution president Wayne Lewellen said Sunday morning, "There's a wide diversity of product out there with broad appeal -- from young to old. I think the strength of The Bourne Identity and Sum Of All Fears shows the adult audience is going, as well (as the under-25s)."

Warner Bros.' PG rated animated feature The Powerpuff Girls Movie opened quietly in ninth place to an ESTIMATED $3.56 million at 2,340 theaters ($1,521 per theater). Its cume after five days is approximately $6.1 million.

The film is based on the popular Cartoon Network animated series.

Rounding out the Top Ten was Warner Bros. and Gaylord Films' PG-13 rated drama Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, down two notches in its fifth week, holding decently with an ESTIMATED $2.85 million (-30%) at 1,792 theaters (-375 theaters; $1,590 per theater). Its cume is approximately $61.0 million, heading for $69-70 million in domestic theaters.

Directed by Callie Khouri, it stars Sandra Bullock, Ellen Burstyn, Fionnula Flanagan, James Garner, Ashley Judd, Shirley Knight, Angus MacFadyen and Maggie Smith.

LOOKING BACK AT JULY FOURTH WEEKEND

Looking back at July Fourth weekend since 1990, it's clear that the holiday period's boxoffice fireworks have become increasingly dazzling.

In 2001, when July Fourth was on a Wednesday, 17 key films grossed $126.8 million. Warner Bros.' Cats & Dogs opened in first place ($21.7 million and a five day cume of $35.8 million). Right behind it were Dimension's opening of Scary Movie 2 ($20.5 million and a five day cume of $34.0 million), Warners and DreamWorks' A.I. Artificial Intelligence ($14.0 million), 20th Century Fox's Kiss Of The Dragon ($13.3 million) and Universal's The Fast and the Furious ($12.3 million).

July Fourth was on a Tuesday in 2000 when 16 key films grossed $128.6 million. Warner Bros.' The Perfect Storm opening was number one ($42.3 million). It was followed by Columbia's The Patriot ($22.4 million), Fox's Me, Myself & Irene ($13.3 million), DreamWorks' Chicken Run ($13.2 million) and Universal's The Adventures Of Rocky and Bullwinkle ($6.8 million).

In 1999, when July Fourth was on a Sunday, 18 key films grossed $160.4 million for the four day weekend. Warner Bros.' Wild Wild West opening was number one ($36.4 million and a six day cume of $49.7 million). On its heels were Columbia's Big Daddy ($26.8 million), Buena Vista's Tarzan ($19.3 million), Paramount's South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut ($14.8 million) and Paramount's The General's Daughter ($14.2 million).

In 1998, when July Fourth was on a Saturday, 17 key films grossed $103.7 million. Buena Vista's Armageddon opening was number one ($36.1 million and a five day cume of $54.2 million). On its heels were Fox's Dr. Dolittle ($19.7 million), Buena Vista's Mulan ($11.5 million), Universal's Out of Sight ($6.6 million) and Fox's The X-Files ($6.3 million).

In 1997 July Fourth was on a Friday. There were 14 key films with a combined gross of $116.8 million. Sony's Men In Black opening topped the chart with $51.1 million and a six day cume of $84.1 million. It was followed by Paramount's Face/Off ($16.1 million), Buena Vista's Hercules ($12.2 million), Sony's My Best Friend's Wedding ($10.8 million) and Warners' Batman & Robin ($8.0 million).

July Fourth fell on a Thursday in 1996. A dozen key films took in $121.0 million for the three day weekend. Fox's Independence Day opening dominated with $50.2 million and a six day cume of $96.1 million. On its heels were Universal's The Nutty Professor ($17.5 million), Buena Vista's opening of Phenomenon ($16.2 million and a five day cume of $24.5 million), Buena Vista's The Hunchback of Notre Dame ($8.9 million) and Warners' Eraser ($8.8 million).

In 1995 July Fourth was on a Tuesday. There were 14 key films with a combined gross of $102.8 million. Universal's Apollo 13 launch topped the chart with $25.4 million, followed by Buena Vista's Pocahontas ($16 million), Warners' Batman Forever ($15.3 million), Fox's opening of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers ($13.1 million) and Buena Vista's opening of Judge Dredd ($12.3 million).

1994 saw July Fourth fall on a Monday. There were 19 key films with a combined gross of $110.1 million for the four day weekend. Buena Vista's The Lion King placed first with $34.2 million, followed by Universal's opening of The Shadow ($11.7 million), Fox's Speed ($11.2 million), MGM's Blown Away opening ($10.4 million) and Buena Vista's I Love Trouble launch ($7.8 million for four days and a six day cume of $10 million).

In 1993 July Fourth was on a Sunday. Seventeen key films took in a total of $124.3 million for four days. Paramount's opening of The Firm was number one with $32.5 million and a six day cume of $45.6 million. It was followed by Universal's Jurassic Park ($25.3 million), Sony's Sleepless in Seattle ($16.1 million), Warners' Dennis the Menace ($10.1 million) and Buena Vista's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs ($9 million).

1992's July Fourth fell on a Saturday. Fourteen key films combined to gross $72.7 million. Warners' Batman Returns topped the chart with $13.8 million, followed by Sony's opening of A League of Their Own ($13.7 million and a five day cume of $19.1 million), Paramount's Boomerang launch ($13.6 million and a five day cume of $19.6 million), Buena Vista's Sister Act ($6.8 million) and Fox's Unlawful Entry ($6.5 million).