The National Times - 'Top Gun' again soars to top of N.America box office

'Top Gun' again soars to top of N.America box office


'Top Gun' again soars to top of N.America box office
'Top Gun' again soars to top of N.America box office / Photo: © AFP/File

Action drama "Top Gun: Maverick" has soared to a second huge weekend showing in North American theaters, taking in an estimated $86 million, industry watcher Exhibitor Relations reported Sunday.

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That "sensational" number for Paramount's long-awaited Tom Cruise sequel placed it among the top 10 highest-grossing second weekends in domestic box office history, Variety reported. It took in $151 million last weekend.

Boosted by its gripping visuals and unusually positive reviews -- especially for a sequel -- the Paramount/Skydance film has earned $257 million abroad, the latest sign of Hollywood's recovery from a bleak pandemic period.

"Maverick" picks up the story of now-graying US Navy test pilot Pete "Maverick" Mitchell (Cruise) as he trains young aviators for a mission to attack a nuclear facility in a rogue state.

Holding in second place was Disney's "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness," at $9.3 million for the Friday-through-Sunday period. The global take for the Benedict Cumberbatch film has surpassed $750 million in its five weeks out.

20th Century's animated "Bob's Burgers Movie," based on a popular television show, held tight in third place, taking in $4.5 million.

In fourth, up one spot from last weekend, was Universal's family-friendly animation "The Bad Guys," at $3.3 million.

Focus Features' "Downton Abbey: A New Era," based on the wildly popular British series, slipped a spot to fifth place, earning $3 million.

Rounding out the top 10 were:

"Everything Everywhere All at Once" ($2 million)

"Sonic the Hedgehog 2" ($1.7 million)

"The Lost City" ($1.4 million)

"Crimes of the Future" ($1.1 million)

"Watcher" ($815,000)

D.Cook--TNT