The movie -- by the Indian-American director also responsible for the "Sixth Sense" and other films in the horror genre -- stars James McAvoy as a man with 23 different personalities who preys on three girls. It earned USD 26.3 million in estimated ticket sales this weekend.
Family-friendly "A Dog's Purpose" about a canine who continually comes back to life as different dogs searching for meaning, raked in some USD 18.4 million in its first week.
Third place went to "Hidden Figures," the true-life story of three black women mathematicians who helped NASA put the first men in space, which sold USD 14.0 million in tickets.
Sci-fi action-thriller "Resident Evil: The Final Chapter" landed in fourth place with USD 13.9 million in its first weekend out.
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In fifth place was "La La Land," a nostalgic tribute to the Golden Age of Hollywood musicals. It earned an estimated USD 12.1 million over the weekend after garnering a boatload of accolades, including a record eight Golden Globes earlier this month.
"xXx: Return of Xander Cage" (USD 8.3 million)
"Sing" (USD 6.2 million)
"Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" (USD 5.1 million)
"Monster Trucks" (USD 4.1 million)
"Gold" (USD 3.