The fearsome “Jurassic Park” dinosaurs have done it again, scoring the second-largest North American opening weekend ever with its latest franchise.
Action-packed “Jurassic World,” featuring a new, and particularly lethal hybrid dino, scored a whopping $204.6 million, according to box office tracker Exhibitor Relations.
The record for an opening weekend take is held by “Marvel’s The Avengers” at $207 million in 2012.
In addition to Chris Pratt as chief dinosaur-keeper and Bryce Dallas Howard as the park’s overzealous marketing chief, the cast includes a multi-ethnic array of actors.
Co-produced by Steven Spielberg — who directed the first two of the four films — “Jurassic World” takes us back to the island theme park where scientists first revived T-Rex and Co for paying customers more than two decades ago.
It bumped comedy espionage spoof “Spy” to second place, with $16 million.
The movie stars Melissa McCarthy as a CIA analyst with a hohum desk job but a knack for being a discrete hero in risky missions carried out by others.
But this time, she goes deep undercover in the world of arms trafficking when two agents — played by Jason Statham and Jude Law — get in trouble, and works to head off a global disaster.
Mega-disaster epic “San Andreas,” which topped box office sales in its debut two weekends ago at $54.6 million, was in third place as the blockbuster summer season gathers pace at $11 million, according to box office tracker Exhibitor Relations.
The big-budget spectacular stars Dwayne Johnson as a rescue pilot teaming up with his estranged wife to rescue their daughter after temblors unleash chaos on Los Angeles and San Francisco.
The film’s title refers to a much-feared, major geological fault in California.
Fourth place went to the new flick “Insidious: Chapter 3,” at $7.3 million.
It is a prequel to the story of a family connected to the spirit world, and here a psychic contacts the dead to help a teen targeted by a supernatural entity.
“Pitch Perfect 2” came in fifth at $6.0 million.
Starring Anna Kendrick and Rebel Wilson, the musical comedy sequel follows the fortunes of the Barden Bellas singing team as they chase international success after being banned from the competitive circuit.
“Entourage” — adapted from an HBO TV sitcom about an actor and his childhood buddies living the high life in Hollywood — was sixth with $4.3 million in revenue.
It stars Adrian Grenier playing A-list movie star Vince Chase.
“Mad Max: Fury Road,” the fourth film of the iconic “Mad Max” franchise and the first in 30 years, dropped to seventh place, taking in $4.1 million.
Superhero blockbuster “Avengers: Age of Ultron” scored $3.6 million.
In ninth place was Disney’s “Tomorrowland,” the sci-fi adventure drama starring George Clooney. It cashed in $3.4 million.
Rounding out the top 10 was “Love & Mercy,” a portrait of Beach Boys leader Brian Wilson and his journey to success. (AFP)
