- India to recall top envoy to Canada: foreign ministry
- Hezbollah, Israeli troops in 'violent clashes' after drone strike
- China insists won't renounce 'use of force' to take Taiwan as drills end
- Painkiller sale plan to US gives France major headache
- Italy begins landmark migrant transfers to Albania
- Russia jails French researcher for three years
- 'Unsustainable' housing crisis bedevils Spain's socialist govt
- Stocks shrug off China disappointment but oil slides
- New Zealand 4-0 up in America's Cup but British show signs of life
- Russian prosecutor demands 3 years prison for French researcher
- 'Innocent' British nerve agent victim caught in global murder plot: inquiry
- Afghan Taliban vow to implement media ban on images of living things
- Russian prosecutor demands 3 years, 3 months jail for French researcher
- England ready for Pakistan's spin assault in second Test
- New Zealand's Ravindra excited for India Tests with father in crowd
- India's capital bans fireworks to curb air pollution
- Stocks diverge, oil retreats as China disappoints markets
- FIFA to open 'global dialogue' on transfer system after Diarra ruling
- Trio wins economics Nobel for work on wealth inequality
- Starmer vows to cut red tape as he urges foreign investors to 'back' UK
- Ex-Stasi officer jailed over 1974 Berlin border killing
- 'Not viable': Barcelona turns against surging tourism
- Hezbollah says targeted Israeli naval base after deadly drone strike
- Rice praises 'unbelievable' England interim boss Carsley despite uncertainty
- Nepali teenager hailed as hero after climbing world's 8,000m peaks
- England captain Stokes back from injury for second Pakistan Test
- Shanghai stocks gain after stimulus briefing as markets rally
- Shanghai stocks gain after stimulus briefing as Asian markets rally
- South Korea military says 'fully ready' as drone flights anger North
- Pakistan 'vigilantes' behind rise in online blasphemy cases
- Nearly 90, but opera legend Kabaivanska is still calling tune
- Smith experiment as Test opener over, Green out of India series
- With inflation down, ECB eyes faster tempo of rate cuts
- Is life possible on a Jupiter moon? NASA goes to investigate
- Dodgers crush Mets 9-0 in MLB playoff series opener
- South Korea military says 'fully ready' as drone tensions soar
- Cummins back, Marsh and Head out of Pakistan ODI series
- Shanghai stocks swing after stimulus briefing as most of Asia rises
- New Zealand's Latham promises 'no fear' as he takes charge for India Tests
- Kyrgios vows to 'shut up' doubters with December comeback
- Public hearings start into death of Brit by Russian nerve agent
- Ex-Stasi officer faces verdict over 1974 Berlin border killing
- Role of government, poverty research tipped for economics Nobel
- 'Stolen satire' feeds US election misinformation
- Rookie McCarty captures first PGA Tour title in Black Desert Championship
- Australia all-rounder Green ruled out of India Test series
- Seeing double in Nigeria's 'twins capital of the world'
- UK FM to attend EU foreign affairs talks for first time in 2 years
- Carter, Billups among 13 new Basketball Hall of Fame inductees
- Ravens rip Commanders as Lions lose NFL sacks leader in win
'Hunger Games' still tops in N.America after 'Napoleon' invades
The "Hunger Games" prequel stayed atop the North American box office over the long US Thanksgiving weekend, fending off an invasion by new Ridley Scott film "Napoleon," industry watcher Exhibitor Relations reported Sunday.
Lionsgate's "The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes" took in an estimated $42 million from Wednesday through Sunday -- boosted by Thanksgiving holiday moviegoers -- and $28.8 million for the usual Friday-through-Sunday period.
This fifth in the "Hunger Games" series stars Tom Blyth, Rachel Zegler and Peter Dinklage in a story about the 10th Hunger Games in the dystopian state of Panem.
In second place was the latest take on the "Napoleon" epic, this one from Sony, with ticket sales of $32.5 million for the five-day weekend and $20.4 million for three days.
"This is a good opening for a period epic action adventure," said analyst David A. Gross, who noted the "pedigree" of director Ridley Scott and strong leads in Joaquin Phoenix, as the French emperor, and Vanessa Kirby, as Empress Josephine.
The European setting should help the movie "over-perform abroad," Gross said. But the film had an "enormous" production budget of $200 million, he noted, and has generated lukewarm reviews, with many French critics panning historical inaccuracies.
Disney, meantime, did not quite get its "Wish" with the release of the lavish animation by that name. It took in $31.7 million for five days and $19.5 for three, which Gross said was roughly half what similar films have earned in the past.
"The struggle is real for the $200M animated film, and the Magic Kingdom itself," Exhibitor Relations said on X, formerly Twitter.
"Wish" follows another disappointing opening for Disney; "The Marvels" recently saw the lowest debut ever in the studio's Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Featuring the voices of Oscar-winner Ariana DeBose and Chris Pine, "Wish" tells the story of King Magnifico, who from his island kingdom grants one wish a month.
In fourth, down two spots from last weekend, was Universal's animated musical comedy "Trolls Band Together." Led by voice actors Anna Kendrick and Justin Timberlake, it sold $25.3 million in tickets for five days, and $17.6 million for three.
And in fifth was Sony slasher film "Thanksgiving," at $11 million for five days and $7.2 million for three. Patrick Dempsey and Addison Rae star.
Rounding out the top 10 were:
"The Marvels" ($9.2 million for five days; $6.4 million for three)
"The Holdovers" ($3.8 million; $2.8 million)
"Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour" ($2.3 million -- it is playing in theaters only Thursdays through Sundays)
"Five Nights at Freddy's" ($2.4 million; $1.8 million)
"Saltburn" ($2 million; $1.8 million)
A.Rodriguezv--AMWN