New Delhi, India

Bringing spice to a so-far lean movie year, Warner Bros.' new sci-fi film Dune: Part Two shot to the top of the North American box office this weekend, taking in an estimated $81.5 million, industry watcher Exhibitor Relations reported Sunday.

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"This is an outstanding opening" for a sci-fi sequel, said analyst David A. Gross, adding that a sprawling international cast including Anya Taylor-Joy, Timothee Chalamet, Zendaya, Austin Butler, Florence Pugh, Rebecca Ferguson, Jason Momoa, Josh Brolin, Lea Seydoux and Javier Bardem had provided an added boost.

Dune: Part Two review: Timothée Chalamet headlines a visually stunning coming of age drama

Denis Villeneuve's epic sequel to the original Dune -- based on Frank Herbert's 1965 novel about war and survival on the deeply inhospitable desert planet of Arrakis -- saw the young year's largest opening, roughly doubling the original film's opening. Dune: Part Two has taken in an additional $97 million abroad. 

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Its strong opening left the box office leader of the past two weekends, Paramount's Bob Marley: One Love, in the dust -- or sand -- as the biopic took in just $7.4 million for second place. British actor Kingsley Ben-Adir stars as the iconic reggae singer.

In third were the latest episodes of Fathom Events and Angel Studios' faith-based The Chosen, on the life of Jesus Christ, at $3.9 million. Egyptian-born Jonathan Roumie plays Jesus in the crowdfunded series.

The fourth spot went to Lionsgate's true-life drama Ordinary Angels, at $3.8 million. Hilary Swank stars as a Kentucky hairdresser who rallies her town to help a widower with a gravely ill daughter.

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Sony's Madame Web, a Spider-Man spinoff starring Dakota Johnson, placed fifth for the weekend at $3.2 million. 

Rounding out the top 10 were:

Migration ($2.5 million)

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba ($2.1 million)

Wonka ($1.7 million)

Argylle ($1.4 million)

The Beekeeper ($1.1 million)