'Straight Outta Compton' reigns at N American box office
PUBLISHED ONAugust 17, 2015 4:20 AM
LOS ANGELES - The biopic "Straight Outta Compton," about the pioneering rap group N.W.A. topped the North American box office in its debut weekend, easily beating out rivals, according to industry estimates.
The film is named after the 1988 debut album from the group that gave birth to the gangsta rap genre and also launched the prolific careers of Ice Cube and Dr. Dre.
The movie took in an impressive US$56.1 million (S$79 million) in its opening weekend, reported box office tracker Exhibitor Relations.
It comfortably leaped ahead of the number two film, "Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation," which brought in US$17 million over the weekend.
The Tom Cruise action-thriller, the fifth instalment in the blockbuster franchise, has earned a total of US$138.1 million after three weeks in cinemas.
Trailing in third place was another debut, "The Man from U.NC.L.E.," an action-adventure based on the hit 1960s television series about a CIA agent.
The spy flick earned US$13.5 million in its first weekend in cinemas.
Following in fourth was the comic book action film "Fantastic Four" with US$8 million in its second week.
Psychological thriller "The Gift" starring Jason Bateman and Rebecca Hall raked in US$6.5 million for the number five spot.
In sixth place was Marvel action flick "Ant-Man" with US$5.5 million in its fifth week. Its total earnings now stand at US$157.6 million.
In seventh was the raunchy comedy "Vacation," about a family holiday gone awry which stars Ed Helms, Christina Applegate and Chevy Chase, with US$5.3 million.
Trailing in eighth was animated comedy "Minions," featuring the notorious yellow mischief-making creatures, with US$5.2 million.
Its total haul after six weeks in theatres is US$312.9 million.
The ninth spot went to "Ricki and the Flash," starring Oscar-winning actress Meryl Streep as a rock-and-roller trying to mend ties with her long-suffering family, with US$4.6 million.
Rounding out the top ten was Amy Schumer and Judd Apatow's comedy-romance "Trainwreck" with US$3.8 million in its fifth week in theatres.