'X-Men' flops as 'Secret Life of Pets 2' tops box office

HOLLYWOOD — "X-Men: Dark Phoenix" flopped to the franchise's worst opening weekend as its mutant superheroes were beaten at the box office by fellow new entry "Secret Life of Pets 2."

"Dark Phoenix" could only conjure up $32.8 million at North American theaters over the three-day weekend, industry watcher Exhibitor Relations said Monday.

Its opening haul -- by far the lowest of the dozen "X-Men" titles released over the past two decades -- was described as "disastrous" by Variety.

Starring Game of Thrones' Sophie Turner alongside James McAvoy, Jennifer Lawrence, Michael Fassbender and Jessica Chastain, the movie cost $200 million to make.

It is said to be the final installment of the current "X-Men" film series.

It was forced into second place by Universal's new animation "The Secret Life of Pets 2", which pocketed $46.7 million over the same period.

A sequel to the 2016 hit tale of what animals do when their owners are away, "Pets 2" features the voice of Harrison Ford as a straight-talking pooch.

In third place was Disney's live-action "Aladdin," at $24.7 million. The Guy Ritchie feel-good film stars Will Smith as the genie.

Dropping from last weekend's top spot to fourth place was "Godzilla: King of the Monsters," taking in $15.5 million. 

And in fifth was Paramount's "Rocketman," the biopic about singer Elton John, at $13.8 million. Actor Taron Egerton, who plays John, has drawn strong reviews, including a warm endorsement from the singer himself.

Rounding out the weekend's top 10 were:
"Ma" ($7.8 million)
"John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum" ($7.4 million)
"Avengers: Endgame" ($4.9 million)
"Pokemon: Detective Pikachu" ($3.2 million)
"Booksmart" ($1.6 million)