[N.American Box Office] ‘Black Panther’ continues to dominate U.S. theaters

NEW YORK - Not since “Avatar” has a box-office hit had the kind of staying power of “Black Panther.” Ryan Coogler’s comic-book sensation on Sunday became the first film since James Cameron’s 2009 smash hit to top the weekend box office five straight weekends.

The Disney release grossed $27 million in ticket sales over the weekend, according to studio estimates, pushing its domestic haul to $605.4 million. Worldwide, “Black Panther” has grossed more than $1.1 billion.

Though “Black Panther” has had little competition to contend with throughout February and March, such consistency is especially rare in today’s movie-going world. Before “Avatar,” the last film to do it was 1999’s “The Sixth Sense.”

That left second place to the MGM-Warner Bros.’ rebooted “Tomb Raider,” starring Alicia Vikander as the archaeologist adventurer Lara Croft. The $90 million film opened with $23.5 million, largely failing to stir much excitement among moviegoers.

With Vikander stepping in for Angelina Jolie, Roar Uthaug’s “Tomb Raider” is an attempt to rekindle a video game-adapted franchise that faded quickly the first time around.

The 2001 original opened to $47.7 million and grossed $274.7 million worldwide, but the big-budget 2003 sequel flopped, opening with $21.8 million domestically and grossing $156.5 million worldwide.

Jeff Goldstein, distribution chief for Warner Bros., said “Tomb Raider” came close to studio expectations in North America but that international ticket sales were a primary focus.

“Tomb Raider” was No. 1 in many markets overseas, grossing $84.5 million, including $41.1 million in China.

AP