By Dean Goodman

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The animated underwater adventure "Finding Nemo" reclaimed the No. 1 slot at the North American box office on Sunday, while the Harrison Ford (news) police comedy "Hollywood Homicide" failed to arrest moviegoers in its first weekend.

"Finding Nemo" sold an estimated $29.2 million worth of tickets across the United States and Canada during the three days beginning Friday, swapping places with the street-racing sequel "2 Fast 2 Furious," which garnered $19.1 million in its second weekend.

After three weekends, "Nemo" has soared to $192.3 million, while "Furious" has banked $84 million. "Nemo" was released by Walt Disney Pictures, a unit of Walt Disney Co., and produced by Pixar Animation Studios Inc . "Furious" was released by Universal Pictures, a unit of Vivendi Universal SA .

"Hollywood Homicide," in which Ford plays an Los Angeles Police Department veteran who moonlights as a realtor, opened at No. 5 with $11.7 million.

"Certainly we're disappointed," said Rory Bruer, president of domestic distribution at Columbia Pictures, a unit of Sony Corp (news - web sites) . He had hoped the $75 million-budgeted film would open in the $18 million to $20 million range.

Ron Shelton (news) ("Bull Durham") directed and co-wrote "Hollywood Homicide," which also stars young heartthrob Josh Hartnett (news) as Ford's partner.

NOT 'WILD' ABOUT NEWCOMERS

Two other films opened modestly this weekend: the family cartoon "Rugrats Go Wild" at No. 4 with $12.5 million, and the low-budget comedy prequel "Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd" at No. 6 with $11.1 million.

Paramount Pictures' "Rugrats," the third installment in a franchise based on the Nickelodeon cable TV series, was budgeted in the mid-$20 million range. Paramount distribution president Wayne Lewellen said he had hoped for a $15 million opening, but was satisfied nonetheless.

Its weekend tally compares with a $27.3 million No. 1 bow for 1998's "The Rugrats Movie" and a $22.7 million No. 2 opening for 2000's "Rugrats in Paris." Paramount and Nickelodeon are units of Viacom Inc .

New Line Cinema's "Dumb and Dumberer" features none of the principals from its hit 1994 predecessor "Dumb and Dumber," which starred Jim Carrey (news) and Jeff Daniels (news). The new film stars relative unknowns Eric Christian Olsen and Derek Richardson. The opening was in line with expectations, said a spokesman for New Line, which is owned by AOL Time Warner Inc .

Universal's Carrey comedy "Bruce Almighty," the No. 3 movie, earned $14.2 million, taking its total to $193.8 million after four weekends.

"Finding Nemo," which opened at No. 1 two weekends ago, joins a fairly exclusive club of movies that have returned to the top spot. The last films to accomplish that feat were "Harry Potter (news - web sites) and the Chamber of Secrets" and "Die Another Day," which leapfrogged past each other late last year.

Industry observers expect "Finding Nemo" to make about $275 million, with the possibility of $300 million if it does not take too much of a hit when "The Hulk" opens next weekend.

Weekend Box Office Actuals (U.S.) Jun 13 - 15 weekend Charts:

1. Finding Nemo .......... $28,384,483

BOX OFFICE SO FAR: $191,487,211

2. 2 Fast 2 Furious .......... $18,679,370

BOX OFFICE SO FAR: $83,584,700

3. Bruce Almighty .......... $14,238,315

BOX OFFICE SO FAR: $193,818,135

4. Rugrats Go Wild! .......... $11,556,869

BOX OFFICE SO FAR: $11,556,869

5. Hollywood Homicide .......... $11,112,632

BOX OFFICE SO FAR: $11,112,632

6. Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd .......... $10,845,064

BOX OFFCE SO FAR: $10,845,064

7. The Italian Job .......... $9,609,425

BOX OFFICE SO FAR: $55,403,975

8. The Matrix: Reloaded .......... $5,745,465

BOX OFFICE SO FAR: $257,486,680

9. Daddy Day Care .......... $2,204,402

BOX OFFICE SO FAR: $92,325,737

10. X2: X-Men United .......... $1,740,529

BOX OFFICE SO FAR: $207,305,598

John L.: Whoa, what happened? I think that maybe Hollywood Homicide should have been called "Really Dumb and Quite Dumberer" since this makes two years in a row that a Harrison Ford movie has not opened well. Were the previews that bad and the critical reviews that poor that more people went back to see the rescue of a clown fish? I guess so. Even 50 Cent blasting throughout the trailer could not attract an extra $10 million. The buddy cop movie is a played out premise that needs a spectacular hook to bring in an audience worthy of the actor who was voted Box Office Star of the Century by ShoWest. Dumb and Dumberer actually looked pretty interesting considering Jeff Daniels and Jim Carrey were not in it. The actors playing Harry and Lloyd do resemble their predecessors. Unfortunately for the producers, a sequel/prequel was not demanded by the viewing public. I don't think there were any unanswered questions left at the end of Dumb and Dumber except for the Carrey's chipped tooth he didn't cap to add character to Lloyd. I see both Hollywood Homicide and D&Der doing better on video. The Rugrats still have a good following on cable, but the competition is too strong for cinematic extravaganzas. These movies should just go straight to video where they would make more money and keep some of their dignity. If Pixar or Dreamworks is not behind it, then head straight to Blockbuster, do not pass Cinemark, do not collect $8.00.

REST OF THE TOP 10 IN 10:

1. I have decided that Finding Nemo will be my pick as the best film of 2003 no matter what else is released.

2. Finding Nemo is my favorite movie since last year's Signs.

3. 2 Fast 2 Furious should break the $100 million mark, but it will most likely gross less than the first film.

4. I can see a sequel to Bruce Almighty where instead of God giving him powers, Satan, played by Elizabeth Hurley, decides to show him the real way to take advantage of omnipotence.

5. Italian Job is on track to be the most successful Charlize Theron movie ever made.

6. I also believe that Italian Job is the most successful Mos Def movie ever filmed as well.

7. Will Ferrell's impersonation of the Matrix Reloaded's "Architect" on the MTV Movie Awards was so good he should play him in Matrix Revolutions.

8. I wonder who would win in a fight between Agent Smith from Matrix Reloaded and Elrond from the Lord of the Rings movies?

9. I can't wait until all of Eddie Murphy's kids turn 17 so he can curse in his movies again.

10. The sequel to X2 should introduce at least 3 to 4 more mutant heroes and scale back the others except for Wolverine who needs his own movie or television series.

Next weekend is sure to be incredible at the box office as From Justin to Kelly finally gets released after being pushed back several times. It is sure to be a blockbuster since the television show that Justin and Kelly became famous on is so popular. It is sure to equal box office magic. Plus the Ang Lee tearjerker, "The Hulk" comes out, but it's Q-rating is unclear. Bye for now.