Shyamalan's 'Split' rules inauguration weekend with $40.2M

NEW YORK -- M. Night Shyamalan's psychological thriller "Split" blew away box-office expectations, earning $40.2 million in ticket sales over inauguration weekend, according to studio estimates Sunday.

Though many were focused on Friday's presidential inauguration and Saturday's nationwide women's marches, "Split" doubled forecasts to easily lead all films.

The Universal Pictures release again brings together Shyamalan, director of "The Sixth Sense," with the low-budget horror experts of Blumhouse Productions.

The PG-13-rated "Split," starring James McAvoy as a man with split personalities, cost less than $10 million to make.

It's the second collaboration between producer Jason Blum and Shyamalan, whose fluctuating career recently has found a lucrative home at Blumhouse. They previously combined for 2015's breakout horror hit "The Visit."

The Vin Diesel action sequel "xXx: The Return of Xander Cage" opened in second place, with $20 million. It's the third film in the trilogy and first installment in 12 years.

Though a modest start for a film designed to recharge a dormant franchise, it is faring better overseas. It took in $50.5 million internationally over the weekend.

Last weekend's top film, the mathematician drama "Hidden Figures," held on well, sliding to third place with an estimated $16.3 million.

Despite the weekend's political events, the North American box office was up 29.2 percent from the same weekend last year, according to comScore.

A pair of other new releases had more difficulty rounding up audiences.

The Weinstein Co.'s "The Founder," a biopic about Ray Kroc of McDonald's starring Michael Keaton, launched in 1,100 theaters but gathered only $3.8 million.

It will be hoping for an Oscar nomination Tuesday to help it stand out of the adult-skewing releases.

Oscar favorite "La La Land" still is going strong, with $8.4 million in its seventh week.

Bombing was the Christian drama "The Resurrection of Gavin Stone," which took in $1.4 million from 1,000 theaters.

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to comScore. Where available, the latest international numbers also are included.

Final four-day domestic figures will be released today.

1. "Split," $40.2 million ($5.8 million international).

2. "xXx: The Return of Xander Cage," $20 million ($50.5 million international).

3. "Hidden Figures," $16.3 million ($731,000 international).

4. "Sing," $9 million ($8.3 million international).

5. "La La Land," $8.4 million ($16.6 million international).

6. "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story," $7 million ($9 million international).

7. "Monster Trucks," $7 million ($2.4 million international).

8. "Patriots Day," $6 million.

9. "The Founder," $3.8 million.

10. "Sleepless," $3.7 million.