Hayao Miyazaki's Spirited Away was the #16 movie in the U.S. last weekend, grossing $1.6 million on 711 screens, according to Box Office Mojo.  That brings it to $7.2 million since its release last September.  The screen count represents a huge increase over the seven screens on which it was shown the previous weekend; Disney made the decision to put it into wide release after it won the Oscar for best animated film (see 'Spirited Away Goes Into Wide Release').  Prior to last weekend, it had peaked at 151 screens the third weekend in October.  Disney also mounted TV advertising for the film, touting the Oscar win. 

 

It's all good for anime in America, as this is the highest profile for a serious anime film ever.  The DVD is being released April 15, along with two other Miyazaki classics, and Viz has the manga and art books available now.