LOS ANGELES Steven Spielberg's new film Saving Private Ryan ceded first place at the box office this past weekend to Wesley Snipes' new action film Blade, exhibitor relations said Monday. Blade earned 17 million dollars over the weekend, pushing the World War II hit Saving Private Ryan into second place with 10.1 million dollars. Saving Private Ryan had been in first place for four weeks.

Third place was There's Something About Mary, the surprise hit of the summer with 7.9 million dollars in ticket sales for the weekend and total receipts of 104 million dollars. There's Something About Mary is the ninth summer film to go over the 100 million dollar mark. (AFP)