New Line Cinema‘s IT dominated the box office a second straight weekend, grossing $60 million domestically for a two-week total of $218.7 million. That makes IT the largest-grossing film ever in September for North America. Internationally, the film opened in 10 additional markets and earned $60.3 million from 15,375 screens in 56 markets. This brings the overseas total to $152.6 million and worldwide sum to $371.3 million. The top international markets this weekend were Mexico ($13.8 million), the UK ($8.2 million), Australia and Russia ($4 million), and Brazil ($3.4 million). IT cost about $35 million to make.
CBS Films and Lionsgate’s American Assassin opened in second place domestically with $14.8 million from 3,154 locations, an average of $4,692 per theater. American Assassin took in $6.2 million from 41 international markets as well. Made for $33 million, the action thriller received a B+ CinemaScore from audiences. American Assassin was directed by Michael Cuesta and stars Dylan O’Brien, Michael Keaton, Taylor Kitsch, Sanaa Lathan, and Shiva Negar.
Darren Aronofsky’s psychological thriller mother!, starring Jennifer Lawrence, Javier Bardem, Ed Harris and Michelle Pfeiffer, debuted in the third spot with $7.5 million from 2,368 theaters, an average of $3,167. Internationally, the Paramount Pictures release grossed $6 million in 16 markets this weekend. Made for $30 million, mother! received the dreaded F CinemaScore from audiences, which means word of mouth will probably kill this one off quickly.
Dropping two spots to fourth was Open Road Films’ romantic comedy Home Again, starring Reese Witherspoon. The film added $5.3 million this weekend and has grossed $17.1 million in two weeks. Written and directed by Hallie Meyers-Shyer, Home Again cost just $12 million to make.
The Hitman’s Bodyguard (Lionsgate) rounded out the top five with $3.5 million and a total of $70.4 million after five weeks. Produced for $30 million, the Patrick Hughes-directed action comedy stars Ryan Reynolds and Samuel L. Jackson.
