Just say ´Shazam!´ and the movie fans start lining up

LOS ANGELES: With estimated ticket sales of $53.4 million in its opening weekend, Warner Bros.´ "Shazam!" showed that North American movie fans can enjoy a lighter spin on the usual dark superhero tale, industry watcher Exhibitor Relations reported Sunday.

The family-friendly flick stars young Asher Angel as Billy Baston, an unhappy foster kid who is transformed into a muscular, wise-cracking adult superhero (Zachary Levi) when anyone pronounces the secret word. Both the film´s reviews and audience responses have been strongly positive, according to Hollywood Reporter.

Its domestic take for the three-day weekend was not a bad return on the $80 million Warner and New Line spent to make it -- particularly considering overseas ticket sales of $102 million so far.

Another new release, horror film "Pet Sematary" -- a remake of the 1989 film based on the Stephen King book -- had a solid $25 million in ticket sales, $4 million more than Paramount spent to produce it, Variety reported.

Jason Clarke, Amy Seimetz and John Lithgow star in the tale of a creepy burial ground deep in the Maine woods near a family´s new home.

In third spot was last weekend´s box office leader, Disney´s "Dumbo," at $18.2 million, down 60 percent from its opening. The Tim Burton remake of the original 1941 film tells the story of a small elephant with huge ears and a powerful desire to be reunited with his mama.

Fourth place, at $13.8 million, went to Universal´s "Us" from writer/director Jordan Peele. It stars Lupita Nyong´o and Winston Duke as a couple frighteningly confronted by their own doubles.

And fifth was Disney´s "Captain Marvel," taking in $12.7 million. Oscar winner Brie Larson stars as a former fighter pilot with superpowers.

Rounding out the weekend´s top 10 were:

"The Best of Enemies" ($4.5 million)

"Five Feet Apart" ($3.7 million)

"Unplanned" ($3.2 million)

"Wonder Park" ($2 million)

"How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World" ($2 million)