LOS ANGELES (AFP) – Horror flick “The Conjuring” was a hit at the North American box office this weekend, scaring its way to the top, industry estimates showed Sunday.
The creepy production about paranormal investigators, starring Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga, took in $41.4 million, industry tracker Exhibitor Relations said.
The newcomer ousted “Despicable Me 2” from the pole position, pushing the comedy with Steve Carell voicing villain-turned-doting father Gru — which took in $25.1 million — down a notch.
Fellow newbie “Turbo” — a computer-animated comedy about a speed-loving snail directed by David Soren — came in third with $21.5 million between Friday and Sunday.
It was followed by “Grown Ups 2” — a sequel about a group of middle-aged men who reunite after the death of their basketball coach and spend the summer together.
The film, a star vehicle for comedians Adam Sandler and Chris Rock, brought in $20 million.
Fifth place went to action comedy “Red 2,” whose high-profile cast includes Bruce Willis, John Malkovich and Helen Mirren.
The sequel to the 2010’s “Red” tells the story of elite operatives as they scramble to locate a missing nuclear device. It took in $18.5 million in its first weekend on the big screen.
The Godzilla-like monsters of “Pacific Rim” trailed in sixth place with just under $16 million.
Seventh went to the supernatural “R.I.P.D.,” about a murdered police officer recruited to serve in an afterlife force.
Featuring Jeff Bridges, Ryan Reynolds and Kevin Bacon, it garnered $12.8 million as it made its debut.
“The Heat,” starring Sandra Bullock as a talented but haughty FBI agent alongside Melissa McCarthy as a rough-and-ready Boston cop, was next with $9.3 million.
Ninth place went to “World War Z,” in which Brad Pitt plays a former UN investigator trying to save the world from a zombie invasion, with $5.2 million.
“Monsters University” — a prequel to Pixar’s 2001 smash “Monsters, Inc.” — rounded out the top 10 with $5 million.
