‘Mission: Impossible’ in Cruise control at N.America box office

(FILES) In this file photo taken on July 22, 2018 Actor and producer Tom Cruise arrives for a screening of “Mission Impossible – Fallout” at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum on July 22, in Washington, DC. / AFP PHOTO / Alex Edelman

 

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP)–Tom Cruise’s “Mission: Impossible — Fallout” did not fall off with movie fans, notching a second straight week atop the box office in North American theaters and besting new Disney film “Christopher Robin,” industry data showed Monday.

“Fallout,” the sixth stunt-filled edition in the popular “M:I” franchise, took in $35.3 million in its second weekend of release, putting its total so far at $124.8 million, according to Exhibitor Relations.

Critics and audiences have warmed to the film, in which Cruise again does his own vertigo-inducing, cliff-hanging, exploding-car stunts.

Disney’s live-animated hybrid “Christopher Robin” — which tells the story of Winnie the Pooh’s now grown-up and stressed-out friend and how he reunites with his old stuffed friend — debuted in second place at $24.6 million.

In third was another new release, action comedy flick “The Spy Who Dumped Me,” at $12.1 million.

It stars Mila Kunis and Kate McKinnon as friends being chased frantically through Europe after a former boyfriend turns out to be a CIA agent with a pack of killers hot on his trail.

The star power of “Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again” — with a toe-tapping ABBA soundtrack and gorgeous Greek scenery, albeit less-than-stellar reviews — helped keep the film afloat in fourth place.

The sequel starring Meryl Streep, Colin Firth, Cher and Pierce Brosnan took in $9 million, and has a North American total so far of $91.2 million.

In fifth was Sony’s “The Equalizer 2,” with superstar Denzel Washington playing the part of a quiet former black-ops agent who is drawn back into action to avenge a friend’s death. Its take was $8.8 million in its third week out.

Also of note this week: superhero blockbuster “Black Panther” has taken in more than $700 million in North America since its release in February, joining only “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” and “Avatar” in that exclusive category.

Rounding out this weekend’s top 10 were:

“Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation” ($8.0 million)

“Ant-Man and the Wasp” ($6.4 million)

“The Darkest Minds” ($5.8 million)

“Incredibles 2” ($5 million)

“Teen Titans Go! To the Movies” ($4.8 million)

 

© Agence France-Presse