Ghostly 'Beetlejuice' again rules, topping N.America box office

Actor Winona Ryder, who also starred in the original 'Beetlejuice,' poses on the red carpet at the London premiere of Tim Burton followup 'Beetlejuice Beetlejuice' on August 29, 2024 (BENJAMIN CREMEL)
Actor Winona Ryder, who also starred in the original 'Beetlejuice,' poses on the red carpet at the London premiere of Tim Burton followup 'Beetlejuice Beetlejuice' on August 29, 2024 (BENJAMIN CREMEL) (BENJAMIN CREMEL/AFP/AFP)

Comedy horror film "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice" had a strong showing in its second weekend out, taking in $51.7 million and again helping shock new life into North American theaters, industry watchers said Sunday.

The long-awaited Tim Burton follow-up to the popular 1988 original saw a drop from last weekend's sensational $110 million opening, but the film easily outperformed Hollywood's other offerings for the Friday-through-Sunday period.

Michael Keaton again incarnates the creepily hilarious title character, in a cast including "Beetlejuice" veterans Winona Ryder and Catherine O'Hara, plus newcomers Justin Theroux, Monica Bellucci and Willem Dafoe.

Far back in second place was "Speak No Evil," a new psychological horror film from Blumhouse and Universal Pictures, taking in $11.5 million.

"This is a solid opening for a new horror film," said analyst David A. Gross of Franchise Entertainment Research, adding that reviews and audience scores "are excellent."

James McAvoy and Mackenzie Davis star in the remake of a Danish movie. An American family, invited to stay in a remote British farmhouse, soon learns their seemingly gracious hosts are actually serial killers.

Third place went to superhero comedy "Deadpool & Wolverine," at $5.2 million. Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman star in the Disney/Marvel film, which has taken in a huge $621.5 million domestically in eight weeks out.

In fourth was another new release, political mockumentary "Am I Racist?" from Daily Wire Studios and SDG Releasing, at $4.8 million. Conservative commentator Matt Walsh goes undercover to attend anti-racism workshops and crash intellectual dinner parties in a provocative critique of political correctness.

And in fifth -- down two spots but still performing well for a political biopic -- was "Reagan" from ShowBiz Direct and MJM Entertainment, at $2.8 million. Dennis Quaid portrays the 40th US president.

Rounding out the top 10 were:

"Killer's Game" ($2.6 million)

"Alien: Romulus" ($2.4 million)

"It Ends With Us" ($2 million)

"The Forge" ($2 million)

"God's Not Dead: In God We Trust" ($1.5 million)

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