Horror film IT Chapter Two stayed atop the North American box office this weekend, but the buzzy new Jennifer Lopez movie Hustlers notched a strong second place, industry watcher Exhibitor Relations reported Sunday.
The latest Stephen King-inspired IT film, starring Jessica Chastain, James McAvoy and Bill Skarsgard, earned Warner Bros. an estimated $40.7 million for the three-day period, down from its $91 million opening last weekend.
Hustlers, took in $33.2 million for STX Films, that studio’s best start ever. J-Lo has gotten rave reviews: Rolling Stone called her “dazzling,” “electrifying” and Oscar-worthy.
Hustlers also stars Constance Wu of Crazy Rich Asians fame, along with Julia Stiles, Cardi B and Lizzo.
Lionsgate’s Angel Has Fallen, with Gerard Butler as a Secret Service agent accused of attempting to kill the US president, notched $4.4 million to place a distant third.
In fourth was “Good Boys,” a raunchy tween comedy from Universal, at $4.3 million.
And in fifth place was Disney’s updated The Lion King, at $3.6 million. Its North American total has surpassed $533 million, making it the 12th largest domestic release of all time, according to BoxOfficeMojo.com.
Meantime, Warner Bros.’ widely promoted drama The Goldfinch, adapted from a Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, earned a mere $2.6 million in what the Hollywood Reporter called “one of the worst starts ever” for a movie in wide release.
Rounding out the weekend’s top 10 were:
Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw” ($2.8 million)
Overcomer ($2.7 million)
The Goldfinch ($2.6 million)
The Peanut Butter Falcon ($1.9 million)
Dora & the Lost City of Gold ($1.9 million)
