‘Predator: Badlands’ conquers N. American box office

AFP | Los Angeles

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“Predator: Badlands,” the latest installment in the sci-fi horror franchise that started nearly 40 years ago, devoured the competition at the North American box office, debuting at $40 million, industry estimates showed Sunday.

The 20th Century Studios film stars Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi as an outcast Predator who is the hero this time, teaming up with an android (Elle Fanning) on an epic journey to prove himself. It i s t h e n i n t h e n t r y in the popular franchise launched in 1987 with Arnold Schwarzenegger as its star.

In second place was Paramount’s “Regretting You,” the latest film adaptation of a Colleen Hoover novel, at $7.1 million for the Friday to Sunday period, Exhibitor Relations reported.

Directed by Josh Boone, the romantic drama tells the story of a mother (Allison Williams) and teenage daughter (McKenna Grace) navigating life and love after tragedy strikes.

Universal’s horror sequel “Black Phone 2,” once again starring Ethan Hawke as a devilish villain, came in third with $5.3 million in ticket sales in the United States and Canada.

Debuting in fourth place was “Sarah’s Oil,” MGM’s faithbased drama drawn from history about a young Black girl in early 20th century Oklahoma who inherits land she believes is oil-rich. It earned $4.5 million.

And in fifth place at $4.1 million was another new film, Sony’s “Nuremberg,” which retells the story of the postwar Nazi trials with a focus on Hitler’s right-hand man, Hermann Goering.

Russell Crowe’s portrayal of the Luftwaffe commander is earning Oscars buzz.

Rounding out the top 10 were: “Chainsaw Man - The Movie: Reze Arc” ($3.6 million) “Bugonia” ($3.5 million) “Die My Love” ($2.8 million) “Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere” ($2.2 million) “Tron: Ares” ($1.8 million)