Latest X-Men flick tops US box office

X-Men: First Class, a prequel that drops the franchise’s mutants into the Cuban Missile Crisis, deputed atop the North American box office with $56 million, estimates showed on Sunday.

The well-received fifth instalment, starring James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender, shines light on the beginning of the X-Men saga and a “secret history” of the Cold War.

The Marvel Comics team proved a headache for The Hangover: Part II, which was bumped from the top spot. It earned $32.4 million, bringing its two-week total to nearly $187 million, according to industry tracker Exhibitor Relations.

Critics panned the raunchy comedy for lacking originality, as Bradley Cooper and company retrace their bachelor party missteps – just like the first time – but in Bangkok instead of Las Vegas.

Another sequel follows in the third spot, as Kung Fu Panda 2 picked up $24.3 million, giving it a two-week total of $100 million. Jack Black and Angelina Jolie voice the lead roles.

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, the fourth instalment starring Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow, earned $18 million in the fourth spot, for $190 million in three weeks.

The surprise hit Bridesmaids, a comedy about a group of women preparing for their wedding day supporting roles, dropped one spot to fifth, grossing $12 million in its fourth week.

Also down one spot was Thor starring Chris Hemsworth as the mythical hero banished to Earth from the mystical world of Asgard. It pulled in $4.2 million, giving it a five-week total of $169 million.

Fast Five sped across the $200 million mark in its sixth week, earning $3.2 million in the seventh spot. It’s the fifth volume in the high-speed car chase series.