LOS ANGELES - New Line Cinema's "It," now in its fourth week, returned to the top spot at the box office after temporarily being unseated by 20th Century Fox's spy sequel "Kingsman: The Golden Circle."
Despite a 42 percent drop in earnings this week, the $35 million film, now the biggest September release ever (not adjusting for inflation), brought in $17.3 million for a cumulative $291.2 million in the U.S. and Canada and $553.1 million worldwide.
The Stephen King adaptation about a group of kids terrorized by an evil clown, was directed by Andy Muschietti and stars Bill Skarsgard as Pennywise the Dancing Clown.
Universal Pictures' $54 million "American Made," starring Tom Cruise as a CIA-recruited pilot and hustler, debuted in second place, earning $17 million this weekend, above analysts' expectations of $12 million to $15 million.
Another high-octane collaboration from Cruise and director Doug Liman (2014's "Edge of Tomorrow"), the film is the latest test of Cruise's draw as an action star in the U.S. beyond the "Mission: Impossible" films. "The Mummy" flopped in June at the box office and was panned by critics.
"Kingsman," now in its second week, tied for No. 2 with "American Made" with $17 million, just under analysts' expectations of $18 million. A sequel to the 2015 hit "Kingsman: The Secret Service," the $104 million film debuted to a slightly less-than-expected $39 million in the U.S. and Canada and has taken in $66.7 million so far, despite a 56 percent drop from last week.
Warner Bros.' "The Lego Ninjago Movie" was fourth in its second week, grossing $12 million (a 41 percent drop) for a cumulative $35.5 million. The computer-animated film focuses on a crew of young ninjas under the tutelage of a wise master played by Jackie Chan. Justin Theroux, Olivia Munn and Dave Franco also lend their voices.
Sony Screen Gems' sci-fi horror "Flatliners," in fifth place, earned $6.7 million in its first week, under analysts' projections of $8 million. The PG-13 thriller, a remake of the 1990 film of the same name, follows five medical students obsessed with instigating their own near-death experiences to glimpse the afterlife. Ellen Page, Diego Luna, Kiersey Clemons, Nina Dobrev and Kiefer Sutherland star.
After expanding to 1,213 locations, Fox Searchlight's "Battle of the Sexes" came in at No. 6 in its second week, earning $3.4 million over the weekend (under analysts' projections of $6 million). Emma Stone and Steve Carell star in the film about the 1973 tennis match between Billie Jean King and ex-champ Bobby Riggs.
Lionsgate and Roadside Attractions' "Stronger" added 645 theaters and brought in just $986,560 (a 39 percent drop in earnings despite an added 71 theaters) for a to-date total of $3.2 million. The Jake Gyllenhaal-led drama is based on the true story of Jeff Bauman, a man who lost both of his legs in the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing.
In limited release, the Taye Diggs-led thriller "Til Death Do Us Part" opened with $1.5 million from distributor Novus Content, under analysts' expectations of $4 million or less. The PG-13 drama tells the story of a woman who believes she's in a perfect marriage until her husband becomes abusive and controlling. Malik Yoba, Stephen Bishop and Robinne Lee also star.