TOP FILMS AT THE BOX OFFICE

“The Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials” edged out Johnny Depp’s “Black Mass” at the box office on the first weekend of the fall movie season.

The sequel to “The Maze Runner” earned $30.3 million. While that came in slightly below the debut of the 2014 youngadult dystopian sci-fi original, it counted as a win for a movie that cost $61 million to make.

“Black Mass,” starring Depp as Boston gangster Whitey Bulger, premiered with $23.4 million. That’s a strong sum for an R-rated adult drama, and it stabilizes a bad box-office run for Depp following a string of disappointments.

1. MAZE RUNNER: THE SCORCH TRIALS,

This sequel to last year’s surprise hit “The Maze Runner” begins where its predecessor ends, as our teen heroes escape from the Maze and wind up in the Scorch, a burned out, zombie-filled wasteland that, just possibly, might offer a place of refuge. The dystopian sci-fi fantasy has lots of action and eye candy, but still winds up feeling pedestrian. (PG-13) 131 minutes — Walter Addiego

$30.3 million, 1 week

2.

BLACK MASS,

Johnny Depp’s portrayal of crime boss James “Whitey” Bulger appears to be filtered through an impersonation of 1980s Ray Liotta, while buried under a prosthetic forehead. As Bulger builds his crime empire, the film is not subtle. But Depp and director Scott Cooper deliver high entertainment value, aided by several excellent performances in the supporting cast. (R) 122 minutes — Peter Hartlaub

$23.4 million, 1 week

3.

THE VISIT,

M. Night Shyamalan’s return to twist-dependent horror is flawed but interesting. His script-writing is livelier than we’ve seen in years, and there’s a sense of humor that was missing in even his best work. (PG-13) 94 minutes — P.H. $11.6 million; $42.6 million; 2 weeks

4. THE PERFECT GUY (not reviewed)

A young professional woman (Sanaa Lathan) gets involved with a man who seems too good to be true. When their relationship ends, she finds out just how much she misjudged him. (PG-13) 100 minutes $9.8 million; $41.5 million; 2 weeks

5. EVEREST,

“Everest” mixes outdoor action-adventure with searing human drama that will have you thankful you’re on the edge of your seat and not on the mountain. The second half of this film, about an ill-fated climb, is everything you might expect: harrowing, queasy, vertiginous and heartbreaking. (PG-13) 121 minutes — Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service

$7.2 million, 1 week

6. WAR ROOM (not reviewed)

The Jordans seem to have it all, but appearances can be deceiving. Husband Tony (T.C. Stallings) flirts with temptation, and wife Elizabeth (Priscilla Shirer) becomes increasingly bitter, crumbling under the strain of a failing marriage. Their lives take an unexpected turn for the better when Elizabeth meets her newest client, who encourages the couple to find happiness through prayer. (PG) 120 minutes $6.2 million; $49 million; 4 weeks

7. A WALK IN THE WOODS,

Robert Redford and Nick Nolte offer a predictable, yet mostly pleasing, addition to the curmudgeon buddy movie genre. Redford is Bill Bryson, a travel writer who tries to tackle the Appalachian Trail with an alcoholic friend (Nolte). Some light physical comedy and deep thought ensues. (R) 104 minutes — P.H. $2.8 million; $24.9 million; 3 weeks

8. MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE — ROGUE NATION,

Tom Cruise delivers again in this entertaining, relentless action movie, in which agent Ethan Hunt (Cruise) finds himself fighting a terrorist group committed only to spreading mayhem throughout the world. (PG-13) 110 minutes — Mick LaSalle $2.2 million; $191.7 million; 8 weeks

9. STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON,

The timing is right for this biopic of N.W.A, and director F. Gary Gray provides an entertaining, reflective exploration of the ground-breaking rap group’s 1980s and early 1990s run. The drama has more in common with “The Social Network” than “Menace II Society,” although it earns its R rating for scenes of violence and sex. O’Shea Jackson Jr. is a standout, playing his reallife father, Ice Cube. (R) 147 minutes — P.H. $1.9 million; $158.9 million; 6 weeks