WASHINGTON, Oct 12, 2021 (BSS/AFP) - "No Time to Die," the latest
installment in the James Bond movie franchise, shot straight to number one in
North America's box office on its opening weekend, netting $55.5 million,
according to industry watcher Exhibitor Relations.

   The United Artists film, the last to feature Daniel Craig as 007, sees Ian
Fleming's spy hero dragged out of retirement to face off against old foes
Blofeld, the criminal network SPECTRE and Safin, played by Rami Malek.

   Last week's leader "Venom: Let there Be Carnage," was knocked down to
second place with a haul of $31.7 million, making a total of $141 million for
its first two weeks.

   The Sony film stars Tom Hardy as investigative journalist Eddie Brock
whose symbiotic bond with an alien named Venom gives him superpowers. Brock
must stop serial killer Cletus Kasady, played by Woody Harrelson, who has
broken out of prison after merging with another alien.

   Third place was held by "The Addams Family 2," which brought in $10.1
million. The animated feature by United Artists follows the iconically
creepy, kooky, mysterious and spooky family as they go on vacation.

   In fourth position was Disney's blockbuster "Shang-Chi and the Legend of
the Ten Rings" which netted $4.3 million.

   The film stars Chinese-Canadian actor Simu Liu, Disney's first Asian lead,
as a former assassin in the shadow of an evil father (Hong Kong legend Tony
Leung).

   Fifth place was held by "The Many Saints of Newark," the Warner Bros.
prequel to cult television series "The Sopranos," which took in $1.4 million
in its second week.

   That was followed by comedy action movie "Free Guy" starring Ryan
Reynolds.

   Rounding out the top 10:

   7 - "Dear Evan Hansen" ($1 million)

   8 - "Lamb" (1 million)

   9 - "Candyman" ($710,000)

   10 - "Jungle Cruise" ($215,000)