GHOSTBUSTERS: Frozen Empire scared its way to the top of the North American box office this weekend, taking in an estimated US$45.2 million in what one analyst called a “unique and impressive opening.”

“Only four other comedic series in the last 27 years have lasted five episodes,” analyst David A Gross said, with ticket sales for the latest entry in Sony’s comedy series coming in “well above average for the genre.”

Still, with a US$100 million budget, Frozen Empire has a way to go to reach profitability.

Co-written by Jason Reitman, whose father Ivan Reitman directed the original Ghostbusters in 1984, the film teams a new cadre of ghost catchers (Paul Rudd, Carrie Coon) with the veterans (Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson) as they take on a frightening deity trying to launch a new Ice Age.

Meanwhile Warner Bros.’ sci-fi epic Dune: Part Two, about war and survival in an inhospitable sand-covered planet, again managed a strong second place, taking in an estimated US$17.6 million for the Friday-through-Sunday period.

It has now earned US$233.3 million in the US and Canada and US$341 million internationally, industry watcher Exhibitor Relations reported.

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In third, dropping two spots from last weekend, was Universal and DreamWorks Animation’s martial arts comedy Kung Fu Panda 4, at US$16.8 million.

Immaculate, a new psychological horror film from indie studio Neon and starring Sydney Sweeney, placed fourth at US$5.4 million.

Sweeney, a graduate of hit TV series Euphoria and recent rom-com Anyone But You, plays a nun who - despite her virginity - becomes pregnant. Other nuns in her remote Italian convent at first treat her as the next Virgin Mary - but then things start getting creepy - very creepy.

And in fifth spot was Lionsgate’s Arthur the King, at US$4.4 million. Mark Wahlberg plays an adventurer who befriends an injured stray dog.

Rounding out the top 10 were:

Late Night With the Devil (US$2.8 million)

Imaginary (US$2.8 million)

Love Lies Bleeding (US$1.6 million)

Cabrini (US$1.4 million)

Bob Marley: One Love (US$1.1 million) AFP