'Fantastic Beasts' spins magic, 'Billy Lynn's' tanks

LOS ANGELES -- Harry Potter spinoff "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" cast a spell over audiences in its debut, summoning $75 million, according to studio estimates Sunday, and unseating "Doctor Strange" from the top spot.

Starring Eddie Redmayne and directed by Harry Potter alum David Yates, "Fantastic Beasts," a Warner Bros. release, cost around $180 million to produce and is meant to kick off a five-film franchise based on author and screenwriter J.K. Rowling's creation.

It's been scoring well with critics and audiences, who gave the film an A CinemaScore.

According to the studio, 55 percent of attendees were female, and 65 percent were over the age of 25.

"It's a real crowd-pleaser," said Jeff Goldstein, Warner Bros.' president of domestic distribution. He noted the film performed especially well in small- to medium-sized towns across North America and not just in the major markets.

Paul Dergarabedian, a senior media analyst for box-office tracker comScore, attributes the solid turnout to the goodwill amassed by the Harry Potter films.

The success of the top films this weekend didn't leave much room for other new wide releases to find their footing this weekend, however. Ang Lee's ambitious wartime drama "Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk" tanked in its expansion from four to 1,176 theaters with a mere $930,000.

The film cost a reported $40 million to produce and has netted only $1.1 million total, hindered by negative reviews of its revolutionary high frame rate.

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to comScore.

Where available, the latest international numbers for Friday through Sunday are included.

Final domestic figures will be released today.

1."Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them," $75 million ($143.3 million international).

2."Doctor Strange," $17.7 million ($26 million international).

3."Trolls," $17.5 million ($11.4 million international).

4."Arrival," $11.8 million ($6.5 million international).

5."Almost Christmas," $7 million.

6."Hacksaw Ridge," $6.8 million ($2.5 million international).

7."The Edge of Seventeen," $4.8 million.

8."Bleed for This," $2.4 million.

9."The Accountant," $2.1 million ($3.2 million international).

10."Shut In," $1.6 million.