N.American moviegoers devour ‘Hunger Games’ sequel

This image released by Lionsgate shows Josh Hutcherson as Peeta Mellark (left) and Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen in a scene from “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.” The movie opens in theaters Friday, Nov. 22, 2013, in what’s expected to be one of the year’s biggest box-office debuts. AP

LOS ANGELES – “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” took in $161.1 million at the North American box office this weekend in one of the biggest movie debuts ever, industry estimates showed Sunday.

Starring Oscar-winner Jennifer Lawrence, the second installment in the blockbuster series is anticipated to have the fourth best start ever in the United States, Exhibitor Relations said.

Second place went to “Thor: The Dark World,” the latest movie based on Marvel’s iconic comic book character, which took in $14.1 million in its third weekend, for a total of $167.9 million so far.

Romantic Christmas comedy “The Best Man Holiday,” a sequel 15 years in the making to “The Best Man” in which old college friends reignite old romances and rivalries, took in $12.5 million for third place.

The fourth spot went to “Delivery Man,” which had a disappointing opening of just $8.2 million. The comedy stars veteran funny man Vince Vaughn as sperm donor who discovers he has sired 533 children.

Animated “Free Birds,” in fifth place, earned $5.3 million, while sixth place went to “Last Vegas,” starring Michael Douglas, Robert De Niro, Morgan Freeman and Kevin Kline on a seniors’ bachelor party to Sin City. It earned $4.4 million.

Screwball comedy “Bad Grandpa” was seventh with $3.4 million in ticket sales, while eighth place went to “Gravity,” starring Oscar-winners Sandra Bullock and George Clooney as astronauts adrift in space, with $3.3 million.

In ninth place was early Oscar contender “12 Years a Slave,” with $2.8 million.

“Dallas Buyers Club” – starring Matthew McConaughey, about a rodeo cowboy diagnosed with AIDS in the mid-1980s, the epidemic’s deadliest days – rounded out the top 10 with $2.8 million in ticket sales.