Even with the series' huge TV following, it's perhaps a little shocking to see the film adaptation of Downton Abbey clobber the return of John Rambo and a Brad Pitt star vehicle at the Stateside box office. Still, with a studio-estimated $31 million in the family coffers from its US opening alone, it's clear that nothing could match the scathing wit of Maggie Smith's Dowager Countess.
Downton represents the most successful release for Focus Features, and has made more than $61 million worldwide so far. Can Downton Abbey: Origins – Mr. Carson be far away?
After trading places through the weekend (and the final figures may yet tell a different story), Ad Astra saw off Rambo: Last Blood for second place. The Pitt-driven space drama earned $19.2 million, while the last gasp for Sylvester Stallone's vengeful warrior took in $19 million.
The new releases meant that It: Chapter Two fell to fourth and $17.2 million, while Hustlers slipped to fifth on $17 million.
The Lion King dropped one place to sixth with $2.57 million, ahead of Good Boys in seventh and $2.51 million. Angel Has Fallen took a real tumble, from third to eighth with $2.4 million, and Overcomer was down to ninth, making $1.5 million. Finally, rounding out the top 10, we have Fast & Furious: Hobbs & Shaw, which took in $1.4 million.