In this file photo Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds attend the “Free Guy” New York Premiere at AMC Lincoln Square Theater in New York City.—AFP

Twentieth Century's sci-fi comedy "Free Guy" slipped but did not trip on Sunday as it clung to the top spot in North American movie theaters with an estimated take of $18.8 million, industry watcher Exhibitor Relations reported. The film, its release delayed a year by the COVID-19 pandemic, is a lighthearted yarn starring Ryan Reynolds as an Everyman bank teller who finds-not unlike Jim Carrey's character in "The Truman Show"-that he is a character in a huge video game and must save his friends from being deleted.

Family-friendly "Free Guy" was slightly off from its $28 million opening weekend, but analysts said its result was impressive with COVID-19 still hanging over the industry and Tropical Storm Henri deterring moviegoers in the US Northeast. It has a healthy global take so far of $112 million. In second position, earning $13 million for the Friday-through-Sunday period, was new Paramount release "Paw Patrol: The Movie."

That was a respectable total, said Variety.com, for a film aimed at young kids-who remain ineligible for COVID vaccines. "Paw Patrol" tells the story of a boy named Ryder and the brave pups who help him save Adventure City from a colossally evil mayor.

Third spot went to Disney's family adventure film "Jungle Cruise," at $6.2 million. Its plot-well, suffice it to say it is based on a theme-park ride. Horror feature "Don't Breathe 2," from Sony, followed with a $5.1 million take in its second weekend. Starring Stephen Lang-who has what website Rotten Tomatoes calls a "thrillingly imposing presence"-it revolves around a game of mass murder perpetuated by a blind veteran.

And in fifth place was United Artists' biopic "Respect," at $3.8 million. Grammy, Golden Globe and Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson stars as queen of soul Aretha Franklin-who reportedly picked Hudson for the role. The Washington Post calls her portrayal a "kind of creative-even spiritual-mind-meld that sends a chill down the spine and a catch to the throat."

Rounding out the top five were:

"The Suicide Squad" ($3.4 million)

"The Protégé" ($2.9 million)

"The Night House" ($2.9 million)

"Reminiscence" ($2 million)

"Black Widow" ($1.2 million) - AFP