This image released by Paramount Pictures shows, from left, Donatello, Michelangelo, Leonardo and Raphael in a scene from “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows.” (Lula Carvalho/Paramount Pictures via AP)
LOS ANGELES—The latest “Ninja Turtles” movie debuted atop the North American box office, industry data showed Monday, but its numbers are unlikely to inspire joyous cries of “cowabunga!” among studio executives.
“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows,” the fifth film in a franchise based on the 1980s comics and the second of the rebooted series, took in a disappointing $35.3 million, industry tracker Exhibitor Relations said.
READ: ‘Ninja Turtles’ wrest top box office spot from ‘X-Men’
Starring Megan Fox, it comes just two years after the last movie enjoyed almost double the opening weekend box office and went on to earn almost $500 million worldwide.
“X-Men: Apocalypse” — the ninth installment in the series — fell to number two after making $22.8 million, in a troubling second weekend considering its blockbuster cast that includes Jennifer Lawrence.
The romantic tearjerker “Me Before You” nabbed number three in its opening weekend with $18.7 million in ticket sales, according to industry tracker Exhibitor Relations.
The film, based on a best-selling novel of the same name, stars Emilia Clarke of “Game of Thrones.”
Big-budget disappointment “Alice Through the Looking Glass,” starring Johnny Depp, fell to number four, grossing $11.3 million in its second weekend.
“The Angry Birds Movie,” a 3D comedy animation inspired by a smartphone app, fell to fifth place, making $10.2 million.
Rounding out the top 10 films of the weekend were:
— “Captain America: Civil War” ($7.8 million)
— “Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising” ($4.9 million)
— “Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping” ($4.7 million)
— “The Jungle Book” ($4.4 million)
— “The Nice Guys” ($3.5 million)