Los Angeles (AFP)

"Candyman," a remake of the famous 1992 horror film, has carved its way to the top spot at the North American box office with $ 22 million in revenue for its first weekend of operation, according to the reports. final figures published Monday by the specialist company Exhibitor Relations.

This performance, which almost covers the estimated budget for the film, exceeded the expectations of experts for a weekend still weighed down by the coronavirus and the passage of the devastating Hurricane Ida in the southern United States.

Written by Jordan Peele and starring Yahya Abdul-Mateen II in the bloody title role, the film was budgeted at $ 25 million, according to trade magazine Hollywood Reporter.

The action comedy in the video game universe "Free Guy" is demoted to second place this week, with 13.1 million dollars in revenue.

The film, which lightly explores the border between virtual and real, features an anti-hero played by Ryan Reynolds, a simple extra in a video game who seeks to take his destiny in hand and disrupts the well-oiled mechanics thought by the creators.

Also down by one place, the animated film for young children "Paw Patrol - The film" grossed 6.6 million.

"Paw Patrol" tells the story of a boy named Ryder and the brave puppies who help him save the people of Aventureville from the shenanigans of an evil mayor.

Fourth place goes to Disney's adventure film "Jungle Cruise" with $ 5 million last weekend, and has exceeded $ 100 million since its release five weeks ago.

Inspired by a Disney park attraction, the film follows the adventures of Dr. Lily Houghton, played by Emily Blunt, and her brother (Jack Whitehall) in the Amazon rainforest.

Also featured is Hollywood's highest paid actor, Dwayne Johnson, who plays their guide.

The horror feature "Don't Breathe 2", about a game of massacre perpetuated by a blind veteran, completes the Top 5 with 2.8 million.

Here is the rest of the ranking:

6. "Respect" ($ 2.2 million)

7. "The Suicide Squad" (2 million)

8. "The Protégé" (1.6 million)

9. "The prey of a shadow" (1.2 million)

10. "Old" ($ 840,000)

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