Hollywood’s three new releases were no match for holdovers at Friday’s box office. Lee Daniels’ The Butler remained on top with an estimated $4.7 million, followed by the three week-old comedy We’re the Millers. Those rankings aren’t expected to change by Sunday, ensuring that this pre-Labor Day weekend will be one of the least-lucrative of the summer.

Among the frame’s new titles, The World’s End showed the most promise. The R-rated comedy earned an estimated $3.5 million on its opening day in 1,549 locations – not a particularly impressive number until you note that The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones earned just $3.1 million from twice as many locations. The adaptation of Cassandra Clare’s fantasy novel debuted at number one on Wednesday but should have trouble reaching its modest goal of $15 million after five days. You’re Next, the one new release that had chance to unseat The Butler based on tracking, opened to a disappointing fifth place instead. The well-reviewed horror film earned an estimated $2.9 million from 2,437 locations on Friday and is projected to take in $8 million this weekend. We’ll have full details tomorrow.

 Title

Friday

Total

1.

 Lee Daniels’ The Butler

$4,785,000

$40

2.

 We’re the Millers

$4,020,000

$82.2

3.

 The World’s End

$3,500,000

$3.5

4.

 The Mortal Instruments

$3,100,000

$7.85

5.

 You’re Next

$2,970,000

$2.9