LOS ANGELES • Action drama “Top Gun: Maverick” has soared to a second huge weekend showing in North American theatres, taking in an estimated US$86 million (RM377.45 million), industry watcher Exhibitor Relations reported on Sunday.

That “sensational” number for Paramount’s long-awaited Tom Cruise sequel placed it among the top 10 highest-grossing second weekends in domestic box office history, Variety reported. It took in US$151 million last weekend.

Boosted by its gripping visuals and unusually positive reviews — especially for a sequel — the Paramount/Skydance film has earned US$257 million abroad, the latest sign of Hollywood’s recovery from a bleak pandemic period.

“Maverick” picks up the story of now-graying US Navy test pilot Pete “Maverick” Mitchell (Cruise) as he trains young aviators for a mission to attack a nuclear facility in a rogue state.

Holding in second place was Disney’s “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” at US$9.3 million for the Friday-through-Sunday period. The global take for the Benedict Cumberbatch film has surpassed US$750 million in its five weeks out.

20th Century’s animated “Bob’s Burgers Movie”, based on a popular television show, held tight in third place, taking in US$4.5 million.

In fourth, up one spot from last weekend, was Universal’s family-friendly animation “The Bad Guys” at US$3.3 million.  

Focus Features’ “Downton Abbey: A New Era”, based on the wildly popular British series, slipped a spot to fifth place, earning US$3 million. — AFP