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"Black Panther" continued its record-setting romp this weekend, passing the half-billion-dollar mark in only its third week out in North America as it stayed on track to be one of the highest-grossing films ever, industry analysts said.

The Disney/Marvel collaboration, starring Chadwick Boseman as the superhero king of an idyllic if fictional African country, took in an estimated $65.7 million for the three-day weekend, website Exhibitor Relations reported.

That take, nearly four times the $17 million earned by the weekend's No. 2 movie — "Red Sparrow" from Fox — gave "Panther" the third-highest weekend ever, trailing only "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" ($90.2 million) and "Avatar" ($68.5 million), according to Variety.com.

"Panther," which also stars Lupita Nyong'o, Michael B. Jordan, Daniel Kaluuya and Martin Freeman, has now taken in nearly $900 million globally, with its opening in China still days away.

"Red Sparrow" tells the story of Russian ballerina-turned-elite spy Jennifer Lawrence. She is backed by an all-star cast including Matthias Schoenaerts, Jeremy Irons and Charlotte Rampling.

In third spot was MGM's new release "Death Wish," with ticket sales of $13 million. The thriller stars Bruce Willis as a doctor who goes vigilante after an attack on his family. The cast includes Vincent D'Onofrio and Elisabeth Shue.

Next was comedy thriller "Game Night" from Warner Bros., taking in $10.7 million. The movie, starring Jason Bateman and Rachel McAdams, tells the story of six friends who get together for beer and games and stumble into a reality game where lives may be at stake.

And in fifth place was Sony's "Peter Rabbit," taking in $10 million in its fourth week out. The film, which mixes live actors with computer-generated animation, is based loosely on the children's book by Beatrix Potter.

Rounding out the top 10 were:

"Annihilation" ($5.7 million)

"Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle" ($4.5 million)

"Fifty Shades Freed" ($3.3 million)

"The Greatest Showman" ($2.7 million)

"Every Day" ($1.6 million)

AFP