'Sonic' sequel zips to top of N.America box office
-
Historic Swiss solar-powered plane crashes into sea
-
A woman UN leader is 'historical justice,' says Ecuadoran contender for top job
-
Indian pharma fuels Africa's 'zombie drug' and opioid crisis
-
After months of blackout, Iran gives internet to select few
-
Wood urges New Zealand to 'create some history' at World Cup
-
In Washington, the fight to preserve Black cemeteries
-
US children's book author sentenced to life after poisoning husband
-
Emotional Vin Diesel leads 'Fast and Furious' tribute in Cannes
-
US renews offer of $100 mn to Cuba if it cooperates
-
City still 'alive' but need Arsenal slip: Guardiola
-
Man City ease past Palace to keep pressure on Arsenal
-
Alaves end champions Barca's bid for 100-point record
-
US jury begins deliberations on 737 MAX victim suit against Boeing
-
PSG clinch fifth straight Ligue 1 title
-
Inter Milan win Italian Cup to secure domestic double
-
Man City see off Palace to keep pressure on Arsenal
-
Trump and Xi set for high-stakes talks in Beijing
-
S&P 500, Nasdaq end at records as oil prices retreat
-
Iran holds World Cup send-off for national football team
-
McIlroy's toe 'totally fine' after nine-hole PGA practice
-
Rare 'Ocean Dream' blue-green diamond sells for $17 mn at auction
-
California says probing possible violations over World Cup ticket sales
-
US races to secure rare earths to rebuild depleted arsenal
-
Matthew Perry drug middleman jailed for two years
-
Warsh confirmed as Fed chair as central bank faces Trump assault
-
Kohli ton powers Bengaluru past Kolkata, to top of IPL
-
Ex-Nicaragua guerrilla believes Ortega-Murillo days numbered
-
Berlin launches scheme to swap trash for treats
-
Sarah Taylor named England men's fielding coach
-
No plans for PGA outside USA or moving off May date
-
US Senate backs Trump on Iran war despite deadline lapse
-
Key urges 'world-class' bowler Robinson to make England recall count
-
From Black Death to Covid, ships have long hosted outbreaks
-
Furyk wants long-term US Ryder blueprint, maybe role for Tiger
-
McIlroy back on course on eve of PGA despite blister
-
Eulalio seizes control of drenched Giro d'Italia
-
New trial ordered for US lawyer convicted of murdering wife, son
-
Stocks rise ahead of US-China summit
-
US wholesale prices jump 6.0% year-on-year in April, highest since 2022
-
Nations drawing down oil stocks at record pace: IEA
-
Carrick on brink of permanent Man Utd job: reports
-
Strong US economy's resilience to shocks tested by Iran war
-
Italy cheers UK's Catherine on first foreign visit since cancer diagnosis
-
Keys says players will strike over Grand Slam pay if 'necessary'
-
Eurovision stage inspired by Viennese opera
-
Gunshots at Philippine Senate as lawmaker wanted by ICC holds out
-
Winning worth the wait for Young no matter the ball
-
The Chilean town living with the world's most polluting dump
-
Donald pleased to have Rahm back for Ryder three-peat bid
-
Stocks waver, oil steady ahead of US-China summit as Iran talks stall
'Sonic' sequel zips to top of N.America box office
Paramount's action-adventure film "Sonic the Hedgehog 2" took in an estimated $71 million in North America this weekend, a welcome sign for Hollywood that families are returning to in-person viewing, industry watcher Exhibitor Relations reported Sunday.
"This is an outstanding opening," particularly for a sequel to a video-based movie, said David A. Gross of Franchise Entertainment Research.
The original "Sonic" film, based on the popular Sega game involving a lightning-fast hedgehog, scored a $58 million opening in early 2020 at a time when Covid-19 was only beginning to register as a threat.
The latest hybrid production includes Jim Carrey in a live-action role, while Ben Schwartz (Sonic), Idris Elba (Knuckles) and Colleen O'Shaughnessey (Tails) voice animated characters.
Last weekend's box office leader, Sony's vampire flick "Morbius," placed a very distant second this weekend, taking in $10.2 million, a steep drop from last weekend's $39.1 million. Jared Leto stars as a Nobel Prize-winner turned blood sucker in an adaptation from Marvel comics.
In third was another Paramount film, action romance "The Lost City," at $9.2 million. Sandra Bullock plays a romance novelist kidnapped by a twisted tycoon (Daniel Radcliffe) who wants her to help him find a buried artifact on a remote, volcano-prone island.
Fourth spot went to a new Universal release, action adventure "Ambulance," at $8.7 million. Jake Gyllenhaal and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II star as adoptive siblings who steal an ambulance to escape after a bank heist.
And in fifth was dark superhero film "The Batman" from Warner Bros., taking in $6.5 million in its sixth week out. Robert Pattinson plays the caped crime fighter.
Rounding out the top 10 were:
"Everything Everywhere All at Once" ($6 million)
"Uncharted" ($2.7 million)
"Dog" ($635,000)
"Spider-Man: No Way Home" ($625,000)
"Jujutsu Kaisen 0" ($500,000)
Y.Kobayashi--AMWN
