There were only half as many new releases to reach the top 30 on the rental chart this week as there were on the sales chart, but we still had a new number one. The Last House on the Left opened in first place with nearly 50% more rentals that I Love You, Man. That film in turn generated close to twice the rentals of either 17 Again, which placed third, or Hannah Montana the Movie, which placed fourth. Obsessed was close behind and rounded out the top five.

Surveillance was the best of the rest opening in 13th place, while the only other new release to chart was Tyson, which placed 19th.

The overall rental market was down less than 1% from last week at $163.3 million, which was 7.8% higher than the same weekend last year. This stretches 2009's current winning streak to five weeks, while 2009 has shown growth over 2008 six of the last seven weeks, and 15 of the last 18.

- C.S.Strowbridge

Date posted: 2009-09-01