“Aquaman” displayed a powerful kick in North American theatres over the weekend, taking in an estimated US$51.6 million (RM214 million) to help close a record year for the movie sector, data showed Sunday.

The domestic film industry is projected to gross a record US$11.9 billion this year, up 2.7% from last year, according to industry monitor Comscore.

“Aquaman” slipped just 24% from its opening weekend, box office tracker Exhibitor Relations reported, while some superhero films lose 50% or even 60% in week two.

With hunky and heavily tattooed Jason Momoa in the lead role, the Warner Bros film has grossed nearly US$750 million globally.

Disney’s “Mary Poppins Returns,” actually gained altitude in its second weekend, taking in US$28 million for the Friday-through-Sunday period, up 18%.

The follow-up to the 1964 movie stars Emily Blunt as the stern but kind-hearted nanny, backed by the amiable Lin-Manuel Miranda of “Hamilton” fame.

In third was Paramount’s “Bumblebee,” a prequel to the “Transformers” movies, starring Hailee Steinfeld and John Cena, at US$20.5 million. The Washington Post credits the film with rising above earlier editions in the franchise to show “humor, emotion and a surprising amount of heart.”

Fourth place went to Sony’s “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse,” at US$18.3 million. The film has drawn rave reviews – with a 97 score on the Rotten Tomatoes website – and has netted a Golden Globe nomination as best animated picture.

In fifth was “The Mule” from Warner Bros., at US$11.8 million, a 27% jump from last weekend. Clint Eastwood directs and takes the lead role – his last acting part, he has said – as a destitute 90-year-old who turns to transporting cocaine for a drug cartel.