'Straight Outta Compton' reigns at North American box office

The biopic "Straight Outta Compton," about the pioneering rap group N.W.A. topped the North American box office in its debut weekend, easily beating out rivals, according to industry estimates.

The film is named after the 1988 debut album from the group that gave birth to the gangsta rap genre and also launched the prolific careers of Ice Cube and Dr. Dre.

The movie took in an impressive $56.1 million in its opening weekend, reported box office tracker Exhibitor Relations.

It comfortably leaped ahead of the number two film, "Mission: Impossible -- Rogue Nation," which brought in $17 million over the weekend.

The Tom Cruise action-thriller, the fifth installment in the blockbuster franchise, has earned a total of $138.1 million after three weeks in cinemas.

Trailing in third place was another debut, "The Man from U.N.C.L.E.," an action-adventure based on the hit 1960s television series about a CIA agent.

The spy flick earned $13.5 million in its first weekend in cinemas.

Following in fourth was the comic book action film "Fantastic Four" with $8 million in its second week.

Psychological thriller "The Gift" starring Jason Bateman and Rebecca Hall raked in $6.5 million for the number five spot.

In sixth place was Marvel action flick "Ant-Man" with $5.5 million in its fifth week. Its total earnings now stand at $157.6 million.

In seventh was the raunchy comedy "Vacation," about a family holiday gone awry which stars Ed Helms, Christina Applegate and Chevy Chase, with $5.3 million.

Trailing in eighth was animated comedy "Minions," featuring the notorious yellow mischief-making creatures, with $5.2 million.

Its total haul after six weeks in theaters is $312.9 million.

The ninth spot went to "Ricki and the Flash," starring Oscar-winning actress Meryl Streep as a rock-and-roller trying to mend ties with her long-suffering family, with $4.6 million.

Rounding out the top ten was Amy Schumer and Judd Apatow's comedy-romance "Trainwreck" with $3.8 million in its fifth week in theaters.
Source: AFP