LOS ANGELES - A strong batch of new films drew audiences to the theaters in large numbers this weekend, including Marvel’s “Doctor Strange,” the animated “Trolls” and Mel Gibson’s WWII drama “Hacksaw Ridge,” effectively waking up the sleepy fall box office.
As the superhero in the bunch, “Doctor Strange” easily dominated with $85 million in North America theaters according to studio estimates Sunday. Starring Benedict Cumberbatch as the neurosurgeon turned sorcerer, “Doctor Strange” opened internationally last weekend. It’s already grossed $325.4 million globally.
DreamWorks Animation’s “Trolls,” a family-friendly musical featuring the voices of Anna Kendrick and Justin Timberlake, took second place with $45.6 million in North America, and $30 million internationally.
And in third place, “Hacksaw Ridge,” Gibson’s film about the true story of the conscientious objector Desmond Doss’s (Andrew Garfield) heroics during the battle of Okinawa, earned $14.8 million. The independently financed film cost a reported $40 million to make.
Holdovers populated spots four and five. “Tyler Perry’s Boo! A Madea Halloween,” dropped 55 percent in its third weekend in theaters. It made $7.8 million, bringing its total earnings to $65 million.
Perry also managed to beat out “Inferno” again, which brought in only $6.3 million in weekend two to take fifth place. The Tom Hanks-starrer has grossed $26.1 million to date. - AP`
