BԪַThor: RagnarokBԪַ thundered to one of the yearBԪַs best box-office debuts, opening with an estimated $121 million in North American theatres.
The robust debut for the third BԪַThorBԪַ movie was a welcome shot in the arm for Hollywood and theatre owners who have just suffered through a terrible October at the box office.
BԪַThor: RagnarokBԪַ also bucked the trend of diminishing returns for sequels. The 2011 BԪַThorBԪַ debuted with $65.7 million; 2013BԪַs BԪַThor: The Dark WorldBԪַ opened with $85.7 million.
The big opening cements the unlikely breakthrough of New Zealand director Taika Waititi, who shepherded the $180 million production to MarvelBԪַs best reviews since 2008BԪַs BԪַIron Man.BԪַ
The weekendBԪַs other new nationwide release was the holiday-themed comedy sequel BԪַA Bad MomBԪַs Christmas.BԪַ It grossed $17 million over the weekend.
Jake Coyle, The Associated Press