New 'Indiana Jones' tops N.America box office despite tepid debut

The latest -- and likely last -- instalment in the popular Indiana Jones franchise lassoed the competition at the North American box office, industry estimates showed Sunday, but analysts noted the weak debut for the fan favourite.

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, starring Harrison Ford in the role of the archaeologist he first made famous more than 40 years ago, earned about USD60 million, according to Exhibitor Relations.

With that, Indy booted animated sequel Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse from the top spot, but analysts said it was a weak start for the fifth Indiana Jones movie.

"Audience ratings are good, while critics reviews are lukewarm," said David A. Gross of Franchise Entertainment Research.

Gross noted the Disney film is believed to have cost a whopping $295 million to make before marketing, but added that it was likely to make up ground overseas, where it opened with $70 million in sales.

Across the Spider-Verse, the second instalment in Sony's inventive animated take on the web-slinging superhero, brought in USD11.5 million for second place, bringing its domestic total to nearly USD340 million.

The animated offering from Universal's Dreamworks follows a shy teenager who discovers she is a descendant of the titular mythic sea creatures.