LOS ANGELES: Transformers: The Last Knight smashed its way to the top of the North American box office, industry estimates showed Sunday, sending last week’s hit Cars 3 to second place.
The fifth installment of the blockbuster franchise took in US$45.3 million in its opening weekend but opened to a franchise low – the first Transformers movie not to premier to US$100 million or more.
The visual-effects heavy film features actors Mark Wahlberg, Josh Duhamel, John Turturro and Anthony Hopkins.
Speeding into second was the third installment in Pixar’s Cars franchise, with US$25.2 million in its second weekend.
The animated flick features Lightning McQueen and his longtime friends fighting off a challenge from a new generation of racers, voiced by stars including Owen Wilson, Cristela Alonzo and Armie Hammer.
Superhero film Wonder Woman narrowly fell to third place with US$25.1 million in earnings.
The action film starring Gal Gadot has made a total of US$318.3 million in domestic ticket sales in four weeks, according to industry tracker Exhibitor Relations.
Gadot, of the Fast and Furious series, plays an Amazonian goddess-princess-superhero whose lasso, bracelet and tiara have magical powers.
47 Meters Down, the adventures of two sisters who fend off a shark attack after going cage diving, scored US$7.4 million.
Coming in fifth was The Mummy, starring Tom Cruise, which made US$5.8 million.
The film – the latest revival of the original Mummy made in 1932 – cost US$125 million to make and has been widely panned by critics.
Rounding out the top 10 were:
All Eyez On Me (US$5.8 million)
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales (US$5.2 million)
Rough Night (US$4.7 million)
Captain Underpants (US$4.3 million)
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (US$3 million)--AFP