NEW YORK — The Blumhouse evil-doll horror movie “M3gan” received off to a killer begin, debuting with $30.2 million in ticket gross sales, in line with studio estimates, whereas “Avatar: The Way of Water” continued its box-office reign within the high spot.

Universal Pictures’ “M3gan,” a few robotic companion constructed for a younger woman after her dad and mom are killed in a automobile accident, rode robust buzz and viral dancing memes to an above-expectations debut. In the low-budget slasher, starring Allison Williams, Blumhouse and producer James Wan crafted Hollywood’s first hit of the brand new 12 months, doubtless spawning a brand new high-concept horror franchise.

Audiences gave the PG-13 movie a “B” CinemaScore — although evaluations (94% contemporary on Rotten Tomatoes) had been stronger for the fashionable, techy twist on a “Child’s Play”-like thriller. It added $10 million internationally.

But whereas “M3gan” drew audiences largely in 2D showings, large-format screens continued to be soaked up by James Cameron’s “Avatar: The Way of Water.” The 3-D three-hour sequel remained No. 1 for the fourth straight week in U.S. and Canadian theaters with $45 million in gross sales.

Cameron’s sci-fi spectacle has now surpassed $500 million domestically and $1.7 billion globally. After dominating the in any other case lackluster vacation hall, the “Avatar” sequel is almost matching the unique’s tempo; the 2009 “Avatar” scored $50.3 million in its fourth weekend. “The Way of Water” already ranks because the seventh highest grossing movie ever, not accounting for inflation — a complete notably owed to its robust abroad efficiency. The movie’s $1.2 billion in worldwide ticket gross sales exceeds that of any movie launched because the begin of the pandemic.

“M3gan” was the one new movie in extensive launch, although Sony Pictures’ “A Man Called Otto,” starring Tom Hanks, performed in 637 theaters after first launching in 4 theaters. The movie, a remake of the Swedish movie “A Man Called Ove,” managed a stable $4.2 million forward of its nationwide launch on Friday.

Third place went to “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish,” with $13.1 million in its third week of launch. The animated Universal Pictures sequel has tallied $87.7 million in three weeks, plus $109.7 million internationally.

While many awards contenders have struggled in latest months on the field workplace, Darren Aronofsky’s “The Whale” is proving a modest exception. The A24 indie starring Brendan Fraser ranked seventh in its fifth week of launch with $1.5 million and a cumulative complete of $8.6 million — a superb return for a movie that value an estimated $3 million to make.

Estimated ticket gross sales for Friday by Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, in line with Comscore. Final home figures might be launched Monday.

1. “Avatar: The Way of Water,” $45 million.

2. “M3gan,” $30.2 million.

3. “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish,” $13.1 million.

4. “A Man Called Otto,” $4.2 million.

5. “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” $4 million.

6. “Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance With Somebody,” $2.4 million.

7. “The Whale,” $1.5 million.

8. “Babylon,” $1.4 million.

9. “Violent Night,” $740,000.

10. “The Menu,” $713,000.