The new Columbia/Marvel superhero film “Venom: The Last Dance” failed to match the openings of the previous two installments in the series, but it still easily dominated the North American box office with ticket sales estimated at $51 million, industry observers said.

“Venom: Let There Be Carnage,” the sequel to the original “Venom,” enjoyed a $96 million opening weekend in 2021, but “Last Dance” faced tough competition for the viewers of a baseball World Series featuring the New York Yankees. and the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Tom Hardy once again plays a disgruntled journalist who transforms into a terrifying alien with huge jagged teeth – and what has been described as a Gene Simmons tongue – in a cast that includes Chiwetel Ejiofor, Juno Temple and Rhys Ifans.

Meanwhile, with Halloween just days away, Paramount’s horror film “Smile 2” fell just one spot from its $40.7 million release last weekend. said industry watcher Exhibitor Relations on Sunday. Naomi Scott plays a troubled pop star afflicted with a sinister curse.

Third place went to FilmNation’s new religious thriller “Conclave,” with $6.5 million. Ralph Fiennes, playing a cardinal called to “manage” the election of a new pope, finds himself caught up in a dark and devious intrigue while wrestling with questions about his own faith – and his ambition.

Stanley Tucci and John Lithgow play other cardinals, each with their own agenda, and Isabella Rossellini is a steel-faced nun.

Analyst David A. Gross said the film, with “sensational reviews,” is well-positioned in the Best Picture Oscar race. Edward Berger (“All Quiet on the Western Front”) directed the film, based on a thriller by Robert Harris.

In fourth place, down two spots, is Universal and DreamWorks Animation’s “The Wild Robot,” which tells the story of a robot who must get along with fuzzy woodland creatures after becoming stranded on a isolated island. It cost $6.5 million.

And in fifth place is “We Live in Time,” a romantic drama from StudioCanal, at $4.8 million. Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh star.
The top 10 was completed by:

“Terrify 3” ($4.8 million)

“Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” ($3.2 million)

“Anora” ($867,000)

“Piece by Piece” ($720,000)

“Transformers One” ($720,000)