‘Argylle’ takes top North American box office spot

Los Angeles (AFP): Universal’s new comedy adventure “Argylle” took the number one spot at the North American box office this weekend, earning an estimated $18 million, industry watcher Exhibitor Relations said Sunday.

The film, co-produced by Apple and directed by Matthew Vaughn, recounts the wacky misadventures of a successful spy novelist, played by Bryce Dallas Howard.

Despite its star-studded cast, the movie — which also features Dua Lipa, Henry Cavill, John Cena and Ariana DeBose — has received lackluster reviews since its release Friday.

Analyst David A. Gross of Franchise Entertainment Research called the showing, which is set to be the first in a trilogy, a “weak opening.”

“The biggest action comedies feature broad-appeal comedic actors, or they’re based on popular intellectual property, or both.  For an original story to break through, the humor has to jump off the screen,” Gross said, adding “that’s not happening here.”

In second place was the next cinematic installment of the Biblical series from Fathom Events, “The Chosen: S3 EP 1-3,” which tells the story of the life of Jesus Christ.

The movie, also in its first week of release, earned $6 million over the weekend.

Last week’s winner, “The Beekeeper” starring Jason Statham, buzzed into this weekend’s third spot, with the MGM action flick taking in an estimated $5.2 million.

The Warner Bros.’ fantasy musical “Wonka,” starring Timothee Chalamet as the titular eccentric chocolatier, continued its strong streak at number four, even in its eighth week of release, making $4.8 million.

And animated film “Migration,” also from Universal, took the weekend’s fifth spot, with $4.1 million.

Rounding out this weekend’s top 10 were:

“Mean Girls” ($4 million)

“Anyone But You” ($3.5 million)

“American Fiction” ($2.3 million)

“Poor Things” ($2.1 million)

“Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” ($2 million)