LOS ANGELES (AP) - In August, a month renowned for allowing edgier films to shine, horror and humor emerged as significant players at the box office. Zach Cregger's highly anticipated horror film “Weapons” made a notable entrance, topping the box office during its debut weekend with an impressive $42.5 million domestically from 3,202 theaters and an international total of $70 million.

This success marked a significant achievement for Warner Bros. Pictures, as it recorded the seventh No. 1 opening of the year and became the studio's sixth consecutive film to surpass the $40 million mark in domestic debut. Paul Dergarabedian, a senior media analyst for Comscore, pointed out that the contrasting nature of the top two films contributed to an exciting weekend for moviegoers. “Both are perfectly tailored for their audiences,” he said, highlighting how viral marketing and strong social media buzz positively influenced the success of both films.

“Weapons” immerses audiences in the fictional small town of Maybrook, where 17 children mysteriously leave their homes at 2:17 a.m., leaving their parents bewildered. The town grapples with the lasting impacts of trauma, navigating horror, paranoia, and a sprinkle of existential humor. This film is Cregger's follow-up to his debut, the genre-bending horror film “Barbarian,” which garnered critical acclaim despite a more modest start.

Upon its release, “Weapons” generated considerable buzz, boasting strong reviews with a 95% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Jeffrey Goldstein, Warner Bros.' president of global distribution, attributed the film's success to its exceptional quality, a well-crafted marketing strategy, and a favorable release date. This powerful debut led “Weapons” to surpass other films in 2023, right behind “Final Destination: Bloodlines” and “Sinners.”

The emergence of the comedy-horror duo of “Weapons” and Disney's “Freakier Friday,” proved to be a formidable force at the box office. “Freakier Friday,” which is a sequel to the beloved 2003 classic “Freaky Friday,” secured the second spot in its opening weekend, earning $29 million across 3,975 North American theaters. The film features returning stars Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis, this time engaging in a complex body-swapping plot involving their characters and new family members.

In contrast, “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” faced setbacks, surrendering its two-week run at the top to fall to third place with $15.5 million in its second weekend. Although it enjoyed a robust $118 million debut, it struggled to maintain momentum. Other notable films that shaped the weekend box office included “The Bad Guys 2,” which earned $10.4 million to secure fourth place, and “The Naked Gun,” which followed closely with $8.4 million in fifth place.

Amid this competitive landscape, “Jurassic World Rebirth” claimed the seventh position, with projections suggesting it would reach a total of $800 million globally soon, following a successful theatrical run. Having started the year relatively slow, Warner Bros. has recently rebounded with successful outings like “A Minecraft Movie,” which debuted with $157 million. Its later releases, including “Sinners” and “Superman,” alongside “Weapons,” have established a strong box office presence.

In summary, the box office rankings from Friday to Sunday reflect the varying interests of audiences, highlighting the success of horror and comedy films in a dynamic summer lineup. Here are the weekend's top 10 movies as per final domestic figures:

1. “Weapons,” $42.5 million.
2. “Freakier Friday,” $29 million.
3. “The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” $15.5 million.
4. “The Bad Guys 2,” $10.4 million.
5. “The Naked Gun,” $8.4 million.
6. “Superman,” $7.8 million.
7. “Jurassic World Rebirth,” $4.7 million.
8. “F1: The Movie,” $2.9 million.
9. “Together,” $2.6 million.
10. “Sketch,” $2.5 million.