'Fantastic Beasts' Earns $75 Million in Debut Weekend

The "Harry Potter" spin-off cast a spell on moviegoers.

By
GEORGE COSTANTINO
November 21, 2016, 10:20 AM ET
2 min read

— -- "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them," the "Harry Potter" spin-off by author J.K. Rowling that stars Oscar-winner Eddie Redmayne, earned $75 million in its opening weekend, albeit the lowest opening for any film in Rowling's magical franchise. It lands right behind "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix," which grabbed $77.1 million in its opening weekend, according to Box Office Mojo.

Read: 'Doctor Strange' Makes Box Office Magic With $85 Million Debut

Second and third place ended up in a horse race between Disney and Marvel's "Doctor Strange," starring Benedict Cumberbatch, and "Trolls," featuring the voices of Justin Timberlake and Anna Kendrick, earning an estimated $17.67 million and $17.5 million, respectively.

Rounding out the top five are "Arrival," starring Amy Adams and Jeremy Renner, in fourth place with an estimated $11.8 million, followed by "Hacksaw Ridge," in fifth with an estimated $6.75 million.

Here are the top 10 movies from Friday through Sunday, with estimated ticket sales:

  • 1. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, $75 million
  • 2. Doctor Strange, $17.67 million
  • 3. Trolls, $17.5 million
  • 4. Arrival, $11.8 million
  • 5. Almost Christmas, $7 million
  • 6. Hacksaw Ridge, $6.75 million
  • 7. The Edge of Seventeen, $4.8 million
  • 8. Bleed for This, $2.35 million
  • 9. The Accountant, $2.1 million
  • 10. Shut In, $1.6 million