'Terminator' tops 'Joker' in battle for N.American box office
'Terminator: Dark Fate' opened atop N.American box office with an estimated take of $29 million.
LOS ANGELES (AFP) - "Terminator: Dark Fate" opened atop the North American box office this weekend with an estimated take of $29 million, industry watcher Exhibitor Relations said Sunday, but analysts said that figure fell far below expectations.
After all, the sixth and latest installment in the franchise -- reuniting stars Arnold Schwarzenegger and Linda Hamilton with series creator James Cameron -- cost $185 million to make.
The Paramount film has Sarah Connor (Hamilton) fighting to protect a young girl from a deadly Terminator arrived from the future.
The film may have been hurt by head-to-head competition with dark thriller "Joker," which in its fifth week took in $13.9 million for the second spot in the Friday-to-Sunday period. Joaquin Phoenix plays Batman s notorious nemesis in the Warner Bros. film.
In third place was Disney s "Maleficent: Mistress of Evil" at $12.2 million. The film once again stars Angelina Jolie playing the evil sorceress, and adds Michelle Pfeiffer as the scheming Queen Ingrith.
New biopic "Harriet" -- the story of Harriet Tubman s escape from slavery and work to help free other slaves -- surprised analysts with its fourth-place finish, earning $12 million.
It was a strong showing for a historical drama. The film has earned a rare A+ CinemaScore rating from audiences, and British star Cynthia Erivo has earned strong reviews for her performance in the title role.
In fifth was United Artists computer-animated "The Addams Family," at $8.5 million. The funny/spooky film features the voices of Oscar Isaac, Charlize Theron, Snoop Dogg and Bette Midler.
