Doctor Strange keeps N. American box office entranced

LOS ANGELES — Leading films at the box office saw a collective bump over the weekend following the caustic US presidential election, with sci-fi flicks performing particularly well according to industry data released Sunday.

Doctor Strange worked its magic on American moviegoers in need of a bit of escapism after the grinding presidential campaign, raking in $43 million in its second week to bring its total earnings to $ 153 million, box office tracker Exhibitor Relations said.

The film starring Benedict Cumberbatch centers on worldfamous neurosurgeon Stephen Strange — whose life changes forever after a horrific car accident robs him of use of his hands.

Rachel McAdams, Benedict Wong, Mads Mikkelsen and Tilda Swinton star alongside Cumberbatch, as his character explores his mystical powers.

The 3- D computer- animated film Trolls held on to the secondplace spot for a second straight week, earning $35 million.

The feel-good musical comedy flick based on the classic plastic dolls of the same name features the voices of Anna Kendrick and Justin Timberlake.

Arrival notched third place, launching its run by grossing $24 million. Starring Amy Adams, the movie centers on an elite team led by a linguist tasked with investigating mysterious extraterrestrial spacecraft after they touch down on Earth.

In Almost Christmas, the number-four flick with $15.6 million in its debut weekend, a dysfunctional family gets together for the first holiday season since their mother’s death. The dramedy stars include Danny Glover, Kimberly Elise and Gabrielle Union.

The biographical war film Hacksaw Ridge — directed by Mel Gibson — came in fifth place with $ 10.8 million in its second weekend.

Rounding out the top 10 films were: The Accountant ($4.6 million); Shut

In ($ 3.7 million); Boo! A Madea Halloween ($ 3.6 million); Jack Reacher: Never Go Back ($3.3 million); and, ($ 3.28 million).