‘Rambo’ no match for ‘Downton Abbey’

LOS ANGELES — Three new wide releases offered an auspicious start to the fall box office season after a lackluster summer failed to recoup the deficit.

In first place, Focus Features’ “Downton Abbey” film adaptation opened with an impressive $31 million, according to estimates from measurement firm Comscore. Analysts projected the film would earn around $20 million.

The result is the biggest opening ever for Focus Features, beating previous record holder “Insidious: Chapter 3,” which earned $22.7 million in 2015.

“Downton Abbey” began its international rollout last weekend, during which it earned $11.7 million in 17 countries and posted the No. 1 opening in the United Kingdom with $6.3 million. This week, it added $10 million in international receipts for a global cumulative of $61.8 million.

The long-awaited revival of the beloved British TV drama comes three years after the ITV series stopped airing in the U.S. as part of PBS’ Masterpiece Classics. Michael Engler, who helmed several episodes, directed the film. Series creator Julian Fellowes penned the script.

It was well received with an ‘A’ CinemaScore and an 85% “fresh” rating on review aggregation site Rotten Tomatoes.

In second place, Fox’s Brad Pitt space drama “Ad Astra” debuted with $19.2 million, slightly above analyst projections of $17 million.

Directed by James Gray, the film follows an astronaut (Pitt) on a dangerous mission to uncover the truth about his missing father, a renegade scientist played by Tommy Lee Jones.

Despite its warm reception at the Venice Film Festival, the film struggled to resonate with moviegoers. It posted a B-minus CinemaScore despite an 81% “fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

At No. 3, Lionsgate and Millennium Films’ “Rambo: Last Blood” premiered with $19 million, within range of analyst predictions of $17 million to $20 million.

The finale to the long-running Sylvester Stallone action franchise comes more than a decade after the studios initially rebooted the series with 2008’s poorly reviewed “Rambo.” That film opened with $18 million on its way to $113 million in worldwide ticket sales.

The series kicked off in 1982 with Orion Films’ “First Blood.” Since then the 73-year-old Stallone’s star power has added fuel to other successful franchises including the recent “Creed” spinoffs from “Rocky,” as well as the “Expendables” series.

“Last Blood” earned a ‘B’ CinemaScore but a 31% “rotten” rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

In fourth place, Warner Bros.’ and New Line Cinema’s “It Chapter Two” added $17.2 million in its third weekend (a 56% drop) for a cumulative $179.2 million. The film stands at $385.1 million globally.

Rounding out the top five, STX Entertainment’s “Hustlers” added $17 million in its second weekend (a 49% drop) for a cumulative $62.5 million. It stands at $72 million in global receipts.

Estimated ticket sales (in millions) for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Box Office Mojo.

1. “Downton Abbey” — $31.0.

2. “Ad Astra” — $19.2.

3. “Rambo: Last Blood” — $19.0.

4. “It: Chapter Two” — $17.2.

5. “Hustlers” — $17.0.

6. “The Lion King” — $ 2.6.

7. “Good Boys” — $2.5.

8. “Angel Has Fallen” — $2.4.

9. “Overcomer” — $1.5.

10. “Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw” — $1.5.