LOS ANGELES, United States — Suspense thriller “Don’t Breathe” held on tight to the top of the North American box office this weekend — keeping rival movies on tenterhooks for a second week running, industry estimates showed Sunday.
Moviegoers plunked down $15.7 million to see the horror twist on a home invasion, box office monitor Exhibitor Relations said in preliminary figures for Friday through Sunday.
The weekend for most people is extended a day by the Labor Day public holiday on Monday, the unofficial end of the American summer.
“Don’t Breathe” tells the tale of what happens when a trio of thieves break into the house of a supposedly helpless rich blind man.
The film has earned $51.4 million since its debut in the number-one spot last week.
“Suicide Squad” remained number-two moneymaker, at $10.0 million. Starring Will Smith, Jared Leto and Margot Robbie as criminals hired to carry out secret missions, it has raked in $297.4 million in its first five weeks, despite poor reviews.
“Pete’s Dragon” jumped from sixth to third place, taking $6.5 million. The Disney reboot of a 1977 family fantasy film tells the story of an orphaned boy, Pete, and his adventures with his best friend, Elliot, a furry — not scaly — dragon.
In fourth place is “Kubo and the Two Strings”, a 3D stop motion adventure fantasy about a one-eyed boy in ancient Japan who must battle the gods with a magical instrument. It made $6.5 million.
“Sausage Party”, a raunchy animated comedy with Seth Rogen as the leading voice, takes fifth place at $5.3 million.
Rounding out the top 10 films of the weekend are:
“The Light Between Oceans” ($5.0 million)
“Bad Moms” ($4.7 million)
“War Dogs” ($4.7 million)
“Hell or High Water” ($4.5 million)
“Mechanic: Resurrection” ($4.3 million)