American audiences were clearly in a mood for a story of triumph over tragedy and heroism set in New York as Clint Eastwood's latest based-on-truth tale, the Tom Hanks-starring Sully landed top of the box office charts in the States this weekend.
Sully, which charts the aftermath of Captain Chesley Burnett "Sully" Sullenberger safely landing a plane on New York's Hudson river following a birdstrike, touched a chord, and earned $35.5 million for a successful opening. It's Eastwood's best launch and a return to success for Hanks. Second place went to When The Bough Breaks, with Morris Chestnut and Regina Hall realising that their seemingly perfect pregnancy surrogate might have grown a little too obsessed with the father-to-be. The thriller made $15 million, which represents a strong start.
Don't Breathe, finally toppled from the head of the charts, fell to third on $8.2 million, and has a domestic total of $66.8 million so far. Suicide Squad, now in the top 10 for six weeks, slipped to fourth but still added $5.6 million. New Robinson Crusoe tale The Wild Life didn't enjoy the sort of success that other animated movies have this year, opening in fifth for $3.4 million.
In sixth we find Kubo And The Two Strings, taking a minor hit from the arrival of new animation, but holding up well with $3.2 million – not bad considering it has been in the charts for four weeks already. Pete's Dragon was down to seventh on $2.9 million, while Bad Moms fell to eighth and $2.8 million.
Acclaimed drama Hell Or High Water boosted its screen count again and stayed in ninth place for a second week, adding $2.6 million to its coffers. And finally, Sausage Party fell five places to 10th, earning $2.3 million.