Film about 1960s black mathematicians tops MLK weekend

NEW YORK – “Hidden Figures,” the uplifting film about African-American mathematicians at NASA during the 1960s space race, led the North American box office for the second straight week, selling $27.5 million in tickets over the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend, according to final studio figures Tuesday.

The Fox release, which stars Taraji P. Henson, Janelle Monae and Octavia Spencer, has now made $61.9 million following its two weeks of nationwide release. Holdovers dominated the four-day weekend, while a number of high-profile new wide releases struggled badly.

Ben Affleck’s period crime thriller “Live by Night” managed a feeble $6 million, and Martin Scorsese’s passion project, the Christian epic “Silence,” earned a mere $2.4 million. Paramount’s pricey family film “Monster Trucks,” which cost $125 million, opened with just $14.2 million. In an unprecedented move, Paramount’s corporate parent, Viacom, last year wrote off the film as a $115 million loss.

1. “Hidden Figures” $27,506,839 / $61,889,939 (4)

2. “Sing” $19,025,360 / $238,240,880 (4)

3. “La La Land” $17,717,720 / $77,299,289 (6)

4. “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” $16,806,712 / $501,898,446 (5)

5. “The Bye Bye Man” $15,204,094 / $15,204,094 (1)

6. “Monster Trucks” $14,174,039 / $14,174,039 (1)

7. “Patriots Day” $13,753,384 / $14,677,466 (4)

8. “Sleepless” $9,771,305 / $9,771,305 (1)

9. “Underworld: Blood Wars” $7,263,585 / $25,379,703 (2)

10. “Passengers” $6,491,814 / $90,871,545 (4)