Again confirming the magic touch of JK&nbsp;Rowling, "<a href="http://www.wionews.com/entertainment/fantastic-beasts-the-crime-of-grindelwald-review-less-of-beasts-more-of-dumbledores-past-177697">Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald</a>" took in an estimated $62.2 million this weekend to lead North American box offices, industry tracker Exhibitor Relations reported Sunday.

This second Harry Potter prequel came in slightly behind the first "Fantastic Beasts" movie, which earned $74.4 million in its opening three-day weekend, but it has already scored an impressive $253.2 million overseas. Warner Bros. plans three more "Beasts" movies.

Written by Rowling and directed by David Yates, "Grindelwald" stars Eddie Redmayne as Newt Scamander as he works with Albus Dumbledore (Jude Law) to take down the evil Gellert Grindelwald, played with typical panache by Johnny Depp.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/entertainment/the-fantastic-beasts-the-crimes-of-grindelwald-actress-katherine-waterston-on-trump-he-is-inspiring-hate-177745">Also read:&nbsp;The 'Fantastic Beasts actress Katherine Waterston on Trump, 'he is inspiring hate</a>'

In a rare weekend when neither horror nor superhero movies dominated, second place went to family-friendly "The Grinch" from Universal, which tallied $38.2 million. &nbsp;

The ever-popular Dr. Seuss tale has Benedict Cumberbatch voicing the ill-tempered green title character, with support from Rashida Jones, Kenan Thompson and Angela Lansbury.

In third spot, with $15.7 million in ticket sales, was Fox's "Bohemian Rhapsody," the foot-stomping biopic about Freddie Mercury and rock group Queen. Rami Malek has drawn strong reviews for his portrayal of the British singer/songwriter.

Fourth went to new Paramount release "Instant Family," starring Mark Wahlberg and Rose Byrne as a married couple who take in three foster kids over the holidays. It earned $14.7 million and has drawn an "A" rating from audiences polled by CinemaScore.

In fifth was Fox's "Widows," at $12.3 million. Directed by Steve McQueen of "12 Years a Slave" fame, it stars Viola Davis, Michelle Rodriguez and Elizabeth Debicki as a group of women who try to pull off a heist after their husbands are killed in a botched robbery.

Rounding out the weekend's top 10 were:

"The Nutcracker and the Four Realms" ($4.7 million)

"A Star Is Born" ($4.4 million)

"Overlord" ($3.9 million)

"The Girl in the Spider's Web" ($2.5 million)

"Nobody's Fool" ($2.3 million)

Again confirming the magic touch of JK Rowling, "Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald" took in an estimated $62.2 million this weekend to lead North American box offices, industry tracker Exhibitor Relations reported Sunday.

Again confirming the magic touch of JK Rowling, "Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald" took in an estimated $62.2 million this weekend to lead North American box offices, industry tracker Exhibitor Relations reported Sunday. This second Harry Potter prequel came in slightly behind the first "Fantastic Beasts" movie, which earned $74.4 million in its opening three-day weekend, but it has already scored an impressive $253.2 million overseas. Warner Bros. plans three more "Beasts" movies. Written by Rowling and directed by David Yates, "Grindelwald" stars Eddie Redmayne as Newt Scamander as he works with Albus Dumbledore (Jude Law) to take down the evil Gellert Grindelwald, played with typical panache by Johnny Depp. Also read: The 'Fantastic Beasts actress Katherine Waterston on Trump, 'he is inspiring hate' In a rare weekend when neither horror nor superhero movies dominated, second place went to family-friendly "The Grinch" from Universal, which tallied $38.2 million. The ever-popular Dr. Seuss tale has Benedict Cumberbatch voicing the ill-tempered green title character, with support from Rashida Jones, Kenan Thompson and Angela Lansbury. In third spot, with $15.7 million in ticket sales, was Fox's "Bohemian Rhapsody," the foot-stomping biopic about Freddie Mercury and rock group Queen. Rami Malek has drawn strong reviews for his portrayal of the British singer/songwriter. Fourth went to new Paramount release "Instant Family," starring Mark Wahlberg and Rose Byrne as a married couple who take in three foster kids over the holidays. It earned $14.7 million and has drawn an "A" rating from audiences polled by CinemaScore. In fifth was Fox's "Widows," at $12.3 million. Directed by Steve McQueen of "12 Years a Slave" fame, it stars Viola Davis, Michelle Rodriguez and Elizabeth Debicki as a group of women who try to pull off a heist after their husbands are killed in a botched robbery. Rounding out the weekend's top 10 were: "The Nutcracker and the Four Realms" ($4.7 million) "A Star Is Born" ($4.4 million) "Overlord" ($3.9 million) "The Girl in the Spider's Web" ($2.5 million) "Nobody's Fool" ($2.3 million)

New 'Fantastic Beasts' film casts winning box-office spell

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald&nbsp;director David Yates has revealed that the film will not &quot;explicitly&quot; show Hogwarts headmaster Dumbledore as gay. 
 
In 2007, Harry Potter&nbsp;author J K Rowling said at a fan Q&amp;A event that she always visualized Dumbledore as gay and &quot;fell in love with Grindelwald&quot; in his youth. 
 
When asked if the sequel to 2016 film, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, will makes it clear that Dumbledore is gay, Yates said, &quot;Not explicitly. But I think all the fans are aware of that. He had a very intense relationship with Grindelwald when they were young men. They fell in love with each other&#39;s ideas, and ideology and each other.&quot; 
 
While audiences may not be able to see Dumbledore being in love, fans of the franchise will have Jude Law&#39;s depiction of the wizard in his youth. 
 
Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald&nbsp;will be released on November 16, 2018. Jude Law is set to play the young Dumbledore in the film while Johnny Depp plays Grindelwald.

Jude Law is set to play the young Dumbledore in the film while Johnny Depp plays Grindelwald.

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald director David Yates has revealed that the film will not "explicitly" show Hogwarts headmaster Dumbledore as gay. In 2007, Harry Potter author J K Rowling said at a fan Q&A event that she always visualized Dumbledore as gay and "fell in love with Grindelwald" in his youth. When asked if the sequel to 2016 film, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, will makes it clear that Dumbledore is gay, Yates said, "Not explicitly. But I think all the fans are aware of that. He had a very intense relationship with Grindelwald when they were young men. They fell in love with each other's ideas, and ideology and each other." While audiences may not be able to see Dumbledore being in love, fans of the franchise will have Jude Law's depiction of the wizard in his youth. Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald will be released on November 16, 2018. Jude Law is set to play the young Dumbledore in the film while Johnny Depp plays Grindelwald.

Dumbledore not explicitly shown as gay in 'Fantastic Beasts' sequel

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New 'Fantastic Beasts' film casts winning box-office spell

Dumbledore not explicitly shown as gay in 'Fantastic Beasts' sequel