Disney's 'Moana' atop N. American box office again
THE animated sea-faring musical adventure Moana triumphed for its third straight weekend, topping the North American box office with US$18.9 million (RM83.60 million), industry data showed.
The Disney film about a brave Polynesian teenage girl on a risky mission to save her people has raked in US$145 million since its opening on Thanksgiving Day, Exhibitor Relations said.
The composers of the film's score include Lin-Manuel Miranda, who wrote the music and lyrics for the smash Broadway hit Hamilton.
Office Christmas Party, a comedy starring Jennifer Aniston, took second in its debut week with US$17.5 million.
She plays an up-tight corporate CEO who wants to close down a branch run by her brother, who answers by staging a mega party aimed at landing a new client and keeping the branch alive.
Harry Potter spin-off Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them dropped to third spot during its fourth week in theatres, chalking up US$10.8 million for a total of US$199.3 million so far.
Based on a 2001 book by "Potter" novelist J.K. Rowling, the Warner Bros. film stars Eddie Redmayne as a wizard in 1920s New York.
Fourth place went to alien invasion movie Arrival, starring Amy Adams and Jeremy Renner as it posted US$5.6 million. The movie has received 10 nominations from the Critics Choice Awards, including for best picture, director and actress.
Adams plays a linguist whom the military recruits to communicate with aliens after mysterious spacecraft appear over Earth, which stands on the brink of war.
Remaining in fifth place was Marvel's Doctor Strange, which earned US$4.6 million for a total of US$222.4 million.
The movie, which stars Benedict Cumberbatch as neurosurgeon Stephen Strange – whose life changes forever after a horrific car accident – is the 14th film in Disney's "Marvel Cinematic Universe."
Rounding out the top 10 films were:
» Allied (US$4.0 million)
» Nocturnal Animals (US$3.19 million)
» Manchester by the Sea (US$3.15 million)
» Trolls (US$3.11 million)
» Hacksaw Ridge (US$2.3 million) — AFP